e  Littlest  Rebel 


STANDARD 


oAMUEL  FRENC  West  45th  St.,  New  York 


MRS.  PARTRIDGE  PRESENTS 

Comedy  in  3  acts.  By  Mary  Kennedy  and  Buth  Haw- 
thorne. 6  males,  6  female*.  Modern  costumes.  'A  interior* 
Plays  2%  hours. 

The   character*.    scenes   and   situations  »r«   thoroughly  tip-to- 
fete  in  this  altogether  delightful  American  comedy.     The  heroin* 
Is  a  woman  of  tremendous  energy,  who  manages  a  business— *• 
.he  manages  everything— with  great  success,   and  at  home  pr. 
•ides  over  the   destinies   of  a   growing  son  and   daughter      H 
struggle  to  give  the  children  the  opportunities   she  herself 
Sd.  and  "he  children's  ultimate  revolt  against  *er  weU-mean* 
management— that  is  the  basis  of  the  plot.     The  son  who  is  cast 
lor  the  part  of  artist  and  the  daughter  who  is  to  go  on  tt 
offer  numerous  opportunities  for  the  development   of  the  . 

^."SS  £  one  IftS  most  delightful,  yet  thougbt-provolcine 
American  comedies  of  recent  years,  and  is  warmly  recommend 
to  all  amateur  group*.    (Royalty  on  application.)    Price,  76  Cents, 

IN  THE  NEXT  ROOM 

Melodrama  in  3  acts.  By  Eleanor  Eobson  and  Harriet 
Ford.  8  males,  3  females.  2  interiors.  Modern  costumes. 
Plays  2*4  hours. 

••Philip  VantSne  has  bought  a  rare  copy  of  an  original  BouW 
cabinet  and  ordered  it  shipped  to  his  New  York  home  from  Paris. 
When  it  arrives  it  is  found  to  be  the  original  itself '..  the  pos 
session  of  which  is  desired  by  many  strange  people.     Bel 
mystery  concerned  with  the   cabinet's   shipment   can  be   cleared 
up,  two  persons  meet  mysterious  death  fooling  with  i i  and 
happiness  of  many  otherwise  happy  actors  is  threatened      (B 
Mantle).     A  first-rate  mystery  play,  comprising  all  the  elem 
Of  suspense,  curiosity,  comedy  and  drama.     "In  the  Next 
is  quite  easy  to  stage.     It  can  be  unreservedly  ™o«MMlf> 
high    schools,    wxd    colleges,       (Boyalty,    twenty-five 


SAMUEL  FRBNCW,  25  W««t  45th  Str**,  New  York  City 
Ou»  N«w  Cstalogu*  Wilt  B«  S«tit  on  Receipt  of  Fiv«  Cent* 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

A  PLAY  IN  FOUR  ACTS 


BY 

EDWARD  PEPLE 

Author    of    "A    Pair    of    Sixes",    "The    Prince    Chap", 
"The  Love  Route". 


COPYBIGHT,  1911,  BY  EDWABD  PEPLE 
COPYRIGHT,  1917,  BY  EDWARD  PEPLE 

ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


CAUTION: — Professionals  and  amateurs  are  hereby  warned  that  "The 
Littlest  Rebel,"  being  fully  protected  under  the  Copyright  Laws  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  is  subject  to  a  royalty,  and  anyone 
presenting  the  play  without  the  consent  of  the  owners  or  their  author- 
ized agents  will  be  liable  to  the  penalties  by  law  provided.  Applications 
for  the  acting  rights  must  be  made  to  Samuel  French,  25  West  45th 
Street,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


LONDON 

SAMUEL  FRENCH,  LTD. 

26    SOUTHAMPTON   ST., 

STRAND,  W.C2 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 
ALL  RIGHTS  RESERVED 


Especial  notice  should  be  taken  that  the  possession  of 
this  book  without  a  valid  contract  for  production  first 
having  been  obtained  from  the  publisher,  confers  no 
right  or  license  to  professionals  or  amateurs  to  produce 
the  play  publicly  or  in  private  for  gain  or  charity. 

In  its  present  form  this  play  is  dedicated  to  the  reading 
public  only,  and  no  performance,  representation,  produc- 
tion, recitation,  or  public  reading,  or  radio  broad- 
casting may  be  given  except  by  special  arrangement  with 
Samuel  French,  25  West  45th  Street,  New  York. 

This  play  may  be  presented  by  amateurs  upon  payment 
of  a  royalty  of  Twenty-five  Dollars  for  each  performance, 
payable  to  Samuel  French,  25  West  45th  Street,  New  York, 
one  week  before  the  date  when  the  play  is  given. 

Whenever  the  play  is  produced  the  following  notice 
must  appear  on  all  programs,  printing  and  advertising 
for  the  play:  "Produced  by  special  arrangement  with 
Samuel  French  of  New  York." 

Attention  is  called  to  the  penalty  provided  by  law  for 
any  infringement  of  the  author's  rights,  as  follows: 

"SECTION  '4966: — Any  person  publicly  performing  or 
representing  any  dramatic  or  musical  composition  for 
which  copyright  has  been  obtained,  without  the  consent 
of  the  proprietor  of  said  dramatic  or  musical  composition, 
or  his  heirs  and  assigns,  shall  be  liable  for  damages  thereof, 
such  damages,  in  all  cases  to  be  assessed  at  such  sum,  not 
less  than  one  hundred  dollars  for  the  first  and  fifty  dollars 
for  every  subsequent  performance,  as  to  the  court  shall 
appear  to  be  just.  If  the  unlawful  performance  and  repre- 
sentation be  wilful  and  for  profit,  such  person  or  persons 
shall  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  shall 
be  imprisoned  for  a  period  not  exceeding  one  year." — U.  S 
Revised  Statutes ;  Title  60,  Chap,  3. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 


CHARACTERS 
OF  THE  NORTH 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  MORRISON  . . .  U.  S.  Cavalry 

LIEUTENANT  HARRIS Morrison's  Aide 

CORPORAL  DUDLEY Of  Morrison's  Command 

SERGEANT  DUDLEY His  brother 

HARRY  O'CONNELL .A   Trooper 

THE  GENERAL U.  S.  Army 

FORBES His  Adjutant 

COLLINS A    Trooper 

COURIER 

OF  THE  SOUTH 

CAPTAIN  HERBERT  CARY A  Confederate  Scout 

MRS.  CARY His  wife 

VIRGIE His  child 

UNCLE  BILLY A  slave 

JEEMS-HENRY A  "  runaway  " 

SALLY  ANN A  nurse 

Time  of  action,  the  latter  part  of  the  Civil  War. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

A  Play  in  four  acts  by  EDWARD  PEPLE 
Produced  by  AL  H.  WOODS 
Staged  by  EDGAR  MACGREGOR 

First  Performance  Liberty  Theatre  November  14th, 
1911 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

LIEUT.  COL.  MORRISON Dustin  Farnum 

THE  GENERAL William  B.  Mack 

FORBES Roy  Gordon 

LIEUT.  HARRIS Walter  Horton 

SERGEANT  DUDLEY T.E.B.  Henry 

CORPORAL  DUDLEY John  Sharkey 

HARRY  O'CONNELL John  C.  Hickey 

SERGEANT M.  A.  Kelly 

COLLINS Charles  Lawrence 

SMITH Frederick  Kley 

JUDSON Franklyn  Horton 

COLOR  SERGEANT John  C.  Leslie 

COURIER Frederic  Morris 

CAPTAIN  HERBERT  CAREY William  Farnum 

MRS.  HERBERT  CAREY Percy  Haswell 

VIRGIE Mary  Miles  Minter 

UNCLE  BILLY. George  Thatcher 

SALLY  ANN Mamie  Lincoln 

JEEMS-HENRY Lawrence  Merten 

Federal  and  Confederate  soldiers  of  the  North  and 
South 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 


ACT  I 

SCENE:  Exterior  view  of  the  home  of  HERBERT 
GARY,  a  few  miles  below  Richmond,  Va.,  on 
the  James  River,  in  the  Spring  of  1864. 

At  L.,  set  obliquely,  is  a  Colonial  house, 
painted  white,  with  pillared  porch  and  upper 
windows.  , 

At  rear  is  a  hedge,  masking  driveway,  running 
across  stage  from  left  to  right,  with  opening  at 
c.  Back  drop  presents  a  stretch  of  fields  and 
woods  running  down  to  the  river.  At  R.  are 
shade  trees,  one  tree  trunk  being  surrounded 
by  a  circular  seat.  From  limb  of  tree  hangs  a 
swing  box  seat. 

DISCOVERED:  UNCLE  BILLY,  an  aged  negro, 
seedily  dressed,  entering  from  R.  carrying  a 
rooster  tied  by  its  feet.  He  takes  a  seat  under 
trees  to  rest,  wiping^his  forehead  with  his  sleeve, 
then  holding  up  rooster  and  regarding  it 
critically. 

BILLY.  It  seems  to  me  dat  when  you  needs  dem 
the  mostest  de  chickens  is  roosting  higher  and 
higher.  Rooster — I  wonder  who  you  b'longs  to. 

5 


0  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

'(Feeling  its  breast  thoughtfully)  Um-um!  From 
de  feelin'  of  you,  my  son,  I  spec'  you  was  raise'  by 
one  er  de  ol'es'  fam'lies  whar  is!  (Sits  on  bench. 
Sighing,  rising  and  starting  toward  house)  Well — 
arfter  I  don  par-bile  you,  I  reckon  Miss  Hallie  be 
mighty  glad  to  see  you.  Yas,  seh!  (He  pauses 
abruptly,  as  a  young  negro  enters  from  L.  dodges 
behind  hedge  and  goes  toward  R.)  Hi,  dar!  You, 
Jeems  Henry !  Come  heh !  Hear  me !  Come  heh ! 
(The  negro  pauses,  then  comes  through  break  in 
hedge.  He  is  a  young  mulatto,  carrying  a  small 
bundle  done  up  in  a  colored  handkerchief.  He 
stands  sullen  and  silent.  UNCLE  BILLY  regarding 
him  with  a  frown)  Whar  you  gwine?  (No 
answer)  Hear  me?  Ain't  you  got  no  tongue  in  yo' 
haid?  Whar  you  gwine?  (JEEMS  comes  down  c. 
still  makes  no  answer)  Den  I'll  tell  you  whar  you 
gwine.  You's  runnin'  'way  to  de  Yankees !  (Rises, 
cross  to  c.) 

JEEMS.  (Steps  toward  BILLY.  Sullenly)  An* 
s'posin'  I  is — what  den? 

BILLY.  Den  you's  a  thief,  dat's  what  you  is — a 
thief! 

JEEMS.    I  an'  no  thief.    I  ain'  stole  nothin'. 

BILLY.    You  is,  too.    You's  stealin'  a  nigger ! 

JEES.  (Steps  toward  BILLY.  In  amazement) 
What  dat?  What  you  talkin'  'bout? 

BILLY.  Talkin'  'bout  you.  Dey  say  dat  a  nigger's 
wuth  a  thousan'  dollars.  'Cose  you  ain't  wuth  dat 
much,  I  put  you  down  at  a.  dollar  an'  a  quarter. 
But  dat  ain't  de  p'int.  It's  dis.  You  b'longs  to 
Mars'  Herbert  Cary  an'  Miss  Hallie ;  an'  when  you 
runs  'way  you's  stealin'.  You's?  stealin'  yo'se'f! 

JEEMS.  (Crosses  to  s.  c.)  H'm !  Ef  I  ain't  wuth 
but  a  dollar  an'  a  quarter,  I  ain'  stealin'  much. 

BILLY.  You  mighty  right,  you  ain't!  An'  ef  I 
was  fp'  years  younger  I'd  take  it  outer  yo'  hide  wid 
a  carriage  whip !  (As  JEEMS  shrugs  and  starts  away) 


THE  LITTLEST  REBED  -  7 

Hoi'  on  dare !    Which  way  you  gwine  ?    You  hear 
me?    Now  den! 

JEEMS.  (Cross  toward  BILLY)  I  gwine  up  de 
river — (Looking  around  cautiously)  to  Chick- 
ahominy  Swamp. 

BILLY.  Chickahominy,  huh !  So  de  Yankees  is  up 
dar,  is  dey?  What  you  gwine  do  when  you  git  to 
'em? 

JEEMS.    Wuck  'roun'  de  camp. 

BILLY.    Doin'  what? 

JEEMS.  Blackin'  de  gent'men's  boots,  an' — an' 
gittin'  paid  fer  it.  (Cross  R.  c.  As  BILLY  laughs 
sneeringly)  It's  better'n  bein'  a  slave,  Unc'  Billy; 
an'  ef  you  wan'  sech  a  crazy  ol'  fool,  you'd  come 
along  wid  me,  too. 

BILLY.  Me?  Leave  Miss  Hallie — now?  (Looks 
at  house  and  points)  When  she  ain'  got  nothin'? 
Look  heah,  nigger,  dog  gone  yo'  skin,  I  got  a  gret 
min'  for  to  mash  yo'  mouf !  Yas,  Ps  a  slave!  I 
b'longs  to  Mars  Gary — an'  I  b'long'd  to  his  pa' 
befo'  him!  Dey  feed  me  and  gimme  de  bes'  dey 
got!  Dey  take  care  of  me  when  I  sick — an'  dey 
take  care  of  me  when  I  well — an'  I  gwine  stay 
right  here  !  But  you  ?  You  go  on  wid  de  Yankees, 
an'  black  der  boots!  Dey'll  free  you — an'  you'll 
keep  on  blackin'  boots.  (JEEMS  gives  a  movement 
of  impatience — turns  away.  BILLY  lifting  his  voice 
and  raising  his  fist  in  anger)  Go  on,  you  low-down 
dollar  an'  a  quarter  nigger!  Go  long  wid  yo' 
Yankee  marsters — an'  git  yo'  freedom  an'  a  blackin' 
brush. 

(MRS.  GARY  enters  from  house,  simply  but  neatly 
dressed,  carrying  a  work  basket.  She  stops 
abruptly,  attracted  by  BILLY'S  angry  voice.) 

MRS.  GARY.  Why,  Uncle  Billy!  What  is  it? 
(BILLY  turns  toward  her)  What  is  it? 

BILLY.     (Pointing  to  JEEMS  over  shoulder)    It's 


8  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

Jeems  Henry,  dat's  who  it  is.  He's  runnin'  'way  to 
de  Yankees. 

MRS.  GARY.  (On  Piazza  L.)  Oh!  James!  Is 
this  really  true?  (As  JEEMS  hangs  his  head  and  is 
silent)  I'm  sorry.  (Comes  down  off  steps)  Not 
only  for  ourselves,  but  for  you.  You  know  I 
promised  Mammy  before  she  died  to  look  after  you 
— always.  (Pause)  Where  is  it  you  are  going? 

BILLY.  (As  JEEMS  makes  no  answer)  He's 
gwine  up  to  Chickahominy.  (To  JEEMS  meaningly) 
Dey  tells  me  dat  der's  han'ts  an'  gos'es  over  dar. 
(Steps  toward  him)  I  hope  dey'll  git  you. 

MRS.  GARY.  (As  JEEMS  rolls  his  eyes  toward 
UNCLE  BILLY)  Stop  it!  You  know  very  well, 
Uncle  Billy,  there  are  no  such  things  as  ghosts. 

BILLY.  Nor'm  I  don't,  Miss  Hallie,  nor'm  I 
don't.  I  hear  one  las'  night — moanin'  roun'  de 
smoke  house.  An*  ef  I  ain't  mighty  fur  wrong, 
she  was  smellin'  arfter  Jeems  Henry. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Suppressing  smile,  as  JEEMS  looks 
at  her  in  terror)  There  now — there — that  will  do. 
(Crosses  to  R.  c.  turning)  Nothing  of  the  kind  will 
trouble  you,  James ;  you  may  take  my  word  for  it. 
(Pause)  If  you  are  quite  determined  to  go,  I  shall 
not  try  to  keep  you.  (Looks  at  bundle)  What 
have  you  in  that  bundle? 

BILLY.  (Comes  down  below  MRS.  GARY)  Hi,  hi ! 
Dat's  de  way  to  talk !  What  yo'  got  in  yo'  bundle  ? 

JEEMS.  (Defiantly)  I  ain't  got  nothin' — what 
don't  b'long  to  me,  Miss  Halley. 

MRS.  GARY.  I  don't  mean  that.  But  you  have 
a  long  tramp  before  you.  Have  you  anything  to 
eat? 

(BILLY  goes  up-stage.) 

JEEMS.    Nor'm.    I  ain't. 

MRS.  GARY.    Then  you'd  better  come  round  to  the 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  $ 

kitchen.  We'll  see  what  we  can  find.  (Starts  away 
to  L.  cross  to  steps,  go  up  steps) 

BILLY.  (Loudly,  comes  down)  Now,  hoi'  on 
dar,  Miss  Hallie !  Hoi'  on !  You  ain't  got  none  too 
much  for  yo'se'f,  d'out  stuffin'  dis  here  six-bit  rat 
hole  wid  waffles  an'  milasses! 

MRS.  GARY.    William! 

BILLY.    (Meekly)    Yas'm. 

MRS.  GARY.  Well,  James,  are  you  coming? 
(Turns  towards  door) 

JEEMS.  (Crosses  to  c.,  then  stops,  speaks)  Thank 
you,  Miss  Hallie ;  but  f 'um  now  on,  I  gwine  to  take 
keer  of  mys'ef. 

MRS.  GARY.  Very  well.  (As  JAMES  again  hangs 
his  head)  Wherever  you  go,  I  hope  you'll  be 
happy  and  contented.  If  you  are  not — come  back 
to  us.  Maybe,  when  the  war  is  over,  you'll  find 
things  a  little  more — ^comfortable.  (On  bottom 
step)  Good-bye,  James. 

(As  JEEMS  looks  up,  she  holds  out  hand.  JEEMS 
turns  to  her  and  starts  to  take  her  hand,  but 
turns  away  again,  abashed.  Back  toward 
audience,  puts  hand  to  eyes,  passes  slowly  out 
at  R.  MRS.  GARY  sits  on  steps  watching  him, 
sadly  and  in  silence.) 

BILLY.  Now  don't  you  care,  Miss  Hallie.  He 
wan'  no  count  for  plowin',  no  how. 

MRS.  GARY.  Oh,  it  isn't  that,  Uncle  Billy — the 
actual  loss  of  help ;  tho'  we  need  it,  goodness  knows. 
But  it  makes  me  sad  to  see  them  leaving — one  by 
one.  They  are  such  children,  Uncle  Billy;  and  so 
helpless — without  a  master  hand. 

BILLY.  Yas'm.  An'  de  marster's  han'  ought  to 
have  a  hick'ry  stick  in  it  f  er  dat  nigger !  Yas,  bless 
Gawd!  But  you  got  me,  Miss  Hallie — /  ain't 
runned  away  to  de  blue-bellies  yet. 


io  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MRS.  GARY.  (Laughing,  as  she  places  hand  on  his 
shoulder)  No,  you  dear  old  thing.  (Crosses  to 
BILLY)  I'd  as  soon  think  of  the  skies  falling.  It  is 
just  such  faithful  friends  as  you  who  help  me  to 
fight  the  best. 

BILLY.    Um ! 

MRS.  GARY.  (As  he  looks  at  her  questioningly)  I 
mean  a  woman's  battles,  Uncle  Billy — the  waiting 
battles — that  we  fight  alone.  (Turns  sadly  away) 

BILLY.  Yas'm.  I  dunno  what  yo'  talkin'  'bout, 
but  I  spec'  you's  right.  Yas'm. 

MRS.  GARY.  Dear  Uncle  Billy.  (Turning  to  him) 
The  most  honest — the — (Pausing  as  she  sees  rooster 
on  bench)  William! 

BILLY.     Yas'm  ? 

MRS.  GARY.    What's  that  ? 

BILLY.  What's  what?  (Following  her  look, 
crosses  toward  rooster)  Aw,  dat f;  Well — well,  dat 
ain't  nothin'  'tall,  Miss  Hallie,  but — but  des'  a 
rooster.  Yas'm. 

MRS.  GARY.  Whose  is  he?  (Crossing  up  to  L.  of 
BILLY) 

BILLY.  You — you  mean  who  he  b'longs  to?  He 
—he  don'  b'longs  to  nobody.  He  his  own  rooster. 
(Looks  at  rooster)  Yas'm. 

MRS.  GARY.  William !  Look  at  me.  Where  did 
you  get  him? 

BILLY.  Down  on  de  low  grouns — dis  mornin'. 
Dat's  right.  Now  you  have  to  skuse  me,  Miss 
Hallie ;  I  got  my  wuck  to  do.  (Crosses  to  tree,  takes 
up  rooster  and  starts  toward  house) 

MRS.  GARY.  One  moment.  You  are  sure  he  was 
on  the  low  grounds  ? 

BILLY.    'Cose  I  is! 

MRS.  GARY.    What  was  he  doing  there  ? 

BILLY.  He — he — he,  he  was  trespassin',  dat's 
what  he  doin' — trespassin' ! 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  II 

MRS.  GARY.  (Smiling  and  pointing  finger)  Be 
careful,  Uncle  Billy !  Be  careful ! 

BILLY.  Yas,  mar'm!  I  had  to  be.  I  never 
would  a-got  him!  (MRS.  GARY  turns.  He  takes  up 
rooster  as  she  laughs)  I's  tellin'  you  de  trufe,  Miss 
Hallie.  Dis  here  ol'  sinner  tooken  flewd  off  a  boat 
whar  was  comin'  up  de  river.  Yes'm.  And  he  sure 
was  old  enough  to  know  better. 

MRS.  GARY.  Oh!  Did  you  see  him  fly  off  the 
boat? 

BILLY.  Oh,  yes,  I  seed  him.  I  seed  him. 
(Stammering)  Nor'm ;  not  wid  my  own  eyes.  But 
I  see  him  settin'  in  de  weeds,  lookin'  dat  lonesome 
an'  losted  like,  I  felt  real  sorry  fer  him.  Yas'm. 
(Strokes  rooster  gently) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Turning  from  hint  to  hide  her 
laughter,  then  back  again)  Uncle  Billy — how  did 
you  catch  him?  ^ 

BILLY.  I  got  down  on  all  fo's  in  the  thick  weeds, 
an'  cluck  like  a  hen.  Mr.  Rooster  he  come  long 
over  to  see  ef  I  done  laid  a  aig  or  sumthin' — an'  I 
des  reach  out — lek  dis — an'  take  him  home  to  de 
Lord.  (Picks  up  rooster) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Laughing  lightly,  crosses  to  R.  of 
bench  )  Oh,  Uncle  Billy,  Uncle  Billy.  It's  a  dread- 
ful thing  to  doubt  your  very  dinner.  Isn't  it  ? 

BILLY.  (Backing  toward  house)  Yas'm,  dat  t'is. 
But  he  don't  b'long  to  nobody — ce§tin'  des  we — all. 
(Lifting  his  hand)  Miss  Hallie,  I  swar  to • 

MRS.  GARY.     William! 

BILLY.  Yas'm.  I  was  des  'bout  to  say  dat  ef  you 
an'  Miss  Virgie  kin  worry  down  de  white  meat, 
maybe  den  dis  here  bird'll  kinder  git  eben  wid  me 
when  I  tackle  his  drum  sticks.  Yas'm.  (Exit  at  left 
rear.  MRS.  GARY  laughs.  BIRD  EFFECTS) 

(MRS.  GARY  crosses  to  house  and  gets  basket,  shakes 
her  head,  crosses  to  bench  under  trees  at  R.  and 


12  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

sits,  taking  up  her  work  basket.   A  child's  voice 
is  heard  calling  off-stage.) 

VIRGIE.    Oh,  Mama!    Mama! 
MRS.  GARY.    (Calling)    Yes,  Virgie!    Here  I  am! 
Out  under  the  trees ! 

(Enter  VIRGIE  from  c.  She  is  flushed  and  excited. 
She  is  neatly  dressed  in  a  short  white  frock,  low 
shoes  and  stockings.  She  carries  her  doll, 
SUSAN  JEMIMA.  She  is  followed  by  SALLY 
ANN,  a  mulatto  girl  of  fourteen,  barefooted 
and  in  a  gingham  dress,  falling  half-way  be- 
tween her  knees  and  ankles.  She  carries  a  stick 
and  a  piece  of  bluish  wood-moss.) 

VIRGIE.  (Running  to  MRS.  GARY,  breathing  fast) 
Oh,  mother — what  do  you  reckon — Sally  Ann  an' 
me — have  been  playin' — out  in  the  woods. 

MRS.  GARY.    What? 

VIRGIE.    Blue  Beard ! 

MRS.  GARY.    Blue  Beard? 

VIRGIE.  (Nodding.  Sitting  on  bench  R.  of  MRS. 
GARY)  Um-hu'm!  You  know — he — he — was  the 
terriblcst  old  man  that — that  ever  was.  An'  he  had 
so  many  wifses — that 

MRS.  GARY.    Wives,  my  darling.    Wives! 

VIRGIE.  (Frowning  at  SALLY  ANN  who  stands 
grinning)  Well,  I  thought  it  was  that;  but  Sally 
Ann  said  wifses. 

SALLY.  Huh!  Don*  make  no  difFn'ce  what  you 
call  'em,  des  so  he  had  'em.  Gor'n  tell  her. 

VIRGIE.  Well,  you  know,  mother,  Blue  Beard  had 
such  a  bad  habit  of  killin'  his  wives — that — that 
some  of  the  ladies  got  so  they — they  almost  didn't 
want  to  marry  him. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Smiling  over  her  work)  Gracious, 
what  a  state  of  affairs !  Well  ? 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  13 

VIRGIE.  Well,  the  last  time  he  got  married  to — to 
another  one — her  name  was  Mrs.  Fatima.  An' — 
an'  I've  been  play  in'  her. 

MRS.  GARY.  Have  you?  And  who  played  Blue 
Beard — Sally  Ann  ? 

VIRGIE.  Yes'm — an' — an'  she's  jus'  fine.  (Cross- 
ing to  SALLY  ANN  and  drawing  her  by  the  arm  to  R.) 
Come  here,  Sally  Ann,  an'  let's  show  her.  Kneel 
down.  (Taking  piece  of  wood  moss  from  SALLY 
who  kneels  grinning)  This  is  his  beard,  mother. 
We  made  it  out  of  a  piece  of  moss.  (Standing  be- 
hind SALLY)  Hold  still,  my  lord,  till  I  get  it  in  the 
right  place.  (R.  of  SALLY  ANN.  Ties  on  beard  with 
a  piece  of  string  which  goes  behind  SALLY'S  ears) 

SALLY.  Be  keerf ul,  Miss  Virgie !  You's  a-ticklin* 
my  nose ! 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  don't  be  such  a  baby.  (Slaps  SALLY 
on  hand)  S'pose  you  were  a  man — (Goes  behind 
her  and  ties  on  beard)  an'  had  to  wear  one  all  the 
time.  (Goes  back  to  edge  of  bench)  Now!  Stand 
up!  Look,  mother!  (Claps  hands) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Looking  at  SALLY,  who  stands 
bashfully)  My,  but  he's  ferocious! 

VIRGIE.  Isn't  he?  Won't  you  play  with  us, 
mother?  (Crosses  to  MRS.  GARY,  kneels  on  bench) 

MRS.  GARY.    I? 

VIRGIE.  Yes.  (Coaxingly)  Jus'  for  a  little 
while.  Won't  you,  sweetheart  ?  I'll — I'll  let  you  be 
Mrs.  Fatima.  (As  MRS.  GARY  hesitates,  shaking 
her  head)  Oh,  come  on,  mother.  (Strokes  MRS. 
GARY'S  face)  If  you  were  my  little  girl,  I'd  do  it  in 
a  minute. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Laughing)  Very  well ;  but  remem- 
ber— just  for  a  little  while. 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  goody,  goody,  goody!  Come  on, 
Sally  Ann.  We  can  play  with  Mama's  keys.  (Tak- 
ing keys  from  basket  and  handling  them)  Here 


14  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

they  are!  (Crosses  to  SALLY  ANN  and  pushes  her 
off)  Hurry  up ! 

SALLY.  Wait  dar!  Whar  I  put  my  s'wode? 
(Crosses  and  taking  up  stick)  Here  it  is.  (Thrusts 
sword  stick  into  a  rope  which  she  ties  around  waist) 

VIRGIE.  (Putting  doll  in  swing,  and  giving  it  a 
push)  Susan  Jemima,  you  can  sit  there  and  look  on. 
(Turning  to  MRS.  GARY)  We  have  to  begin  where 
Blue  Beard  goes  away  on  a  journey.  Come  on, 
Sally  Ann.  Get  up,  Mama.  (MRS.  GARY  crosses 
to  R.  c.  VIRGIE  sits  on  steps) 

SALLY.  (Crosses  to  MRS.  GARY  strutting  for- 
ward, standing  and  speaking  sternly)  'Ooman — Fse 
gwine  away  for  a  night  an'  a  day.  Here  de  keys  to 
de  castle.  (Handing  keys  and  pointing  to  imaginary 
door) 

MRS.  GARY.    Yes,  sir. 

SALLY.  You  kin  look  in  ev'ry  room  in  de  house 
'cep'  in  des  dat  one,  Orn'estan'  me?  Des  dat  one! 
But  ef  you  looks  in  dar — Gawd  he'p  you !  I  gwine 
cut  yo'  haid  off.  (Bus.  of  cutting  head  off)  Fyar- 
well!  (Exit  R.) 

MRS.  GARY.  Farewell,  my  lord.  (Crosses  to  R.  c. 
as  SALLY  stalks  off  at  R.  MRS.  GARY  turns  to 
VIRGIE)  What  do  we  do  now  ? 

VIRGIE.  Now  /  come  in.  I'm  sister  Anna  that 
looks  for  the  horseman  in  the  cloud  of  dust. 
(Crosses  to  MRS.  GARY,  changing  tone)  Good 
morning,  fair  sister.  Blue  Beard  has  gone  away, 
and  now  we  can  look  in  his  secret  room.  (Pointing 
at  imaginary  door) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  c.)  No,  Sister  Anna, 
no.  I  dare  not.  (Moving  away  tragically)  Urge 
me  no  more.  I  am  afraid!  (Crosses  to  R.  c.) 

VIRGIE.  (Coaxingly)  But  mother,  you  have  to. 
It's  part  of  the  play.  (Leading  her}  Come  on. 
That's  right — an' — an*  now  when  you — when  you 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  15 

look  in — you  drop  the  keys — an'  we  both  scream. 
(They  open  imaginary  door.  They  scream.  MRS. 
GARY  drops  keys  and  VIRGIE  clasps  her  in  her  arms. 
Both  take  three  steps  to  the  -front)  It's  blood!  It's 
the  blood  of  his  seven  wives !  O-o-o-o-e-e. 

MRS.  GARY.  (As  SALLY  is  heard  to  roar  off- 
stage)  Mercy!  What's  that?  (Kneels) 

VIRGIE.    It's  Blue  Beard !    He's  comin'  back ! 

MRS.  GARY.  (Rising)  Horrors!  (Rise)  What 
do  I  do  now  ? 

VIRGIE.  Jus'  make  believe — that  you  haven't  done 
a  single  thing.  (Goes  to  L.) 

(Enter  SALLY  ANN  slowly  from  R.  with  folded  arms 
and  a  frown.  MRS.  GARY  places  hands  on  hips 
and  takes  a  few  dancing  steps.) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crossing  to  c.  from  L.)  Greeting, 
my  lord.  I  hope  you  have  enjoyed  your  journey. 

SALLY.  (Severely)  'Ooman — what  mak  you 
look  so  pale? 

MRS.  GARY.  I  know  not,  sweet  sir.  Am  I  then  so 
pale? 

SALLY.  You  is!  What  you  be'n  up  to  sence  I 
be'n  away? 

MRS.  GARY.    I,  my  lord? 

VIRGIE.  (Crossing  to  MRS.  GARY)  Hang  your 
head,  mother.  Hang  your  head  ! 

SALLY.  (As  MRS.  GARY  hangs  her  head)  Ha! 
What  I  tole  you?  Look  at  de  blood  on  dat  key! 
False  'ooman,  you  done  deceib  me.  (Drawing 
sword  stick.  Enter  UNCLE  BILLY)  Git  down  on 
yo'  marrow  bones  an'  prepar  to  die ! 

(BILLY  above  house  with  a  bridle  and  carnage  whip. 
He  stands  in  amazement  as  MRS.  GARY  falls  on 
her  knees.  SALLY  raises  stick.) 


16  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MRS.  GARY.  Spare  me,  my  lord !  Spare  me.  I 
am  so 

BILLY.  (Dropping  bridle  and  running  forward 
angrily)  Heh,  you!  You  H'l  wooley  haided  imp! 
You  tech  Miss  Hallie  wid  dat  ar  stick  an'  I  bus'  you 
wide  open ! 

MRS.  GARY.  (Lifting  her  hands)  Heaven  be 
praised !  My  darling  brother  hath  arrived !  (Puts 
hands  on  BILLY) 

VIRGIE.  (Advancing  in  disgust)  Oh,  no,  no,  no! 
It  isn't  time  for  the  brother  yet,  Mama.  Sit  down, 
Uncle  Billy.  We  are  havin'  a  play. 

BILLY.  (Bus.  of  striking  at  SALLY  ANN  -with 
whip.  Taking  seat)  Maybe  you  is ;  but  I  lay  ef  I 
wrop  my  carriage  whip  roun'  her  laig — des  oncet — 
she'll  hop  all  de  way  to  de  river. 

SALLY.  (Half  crying.  Crosses  to  L.  making  a 
wide  circle  around  BILLY'S  whip)  Miss  Hallie,  ef 
he  stay  here,  I  ain't  gwine  play! 

MRS.  GARY.  There  now, — he  won't  interrupt 
again.  Go  on,  Sally.  (Kneels) 

BILLY.  (As  SALLY  advances)  He,  he!  Whar 
she  git  dem  whiskers  at?  (As  SALLY  looks  at  him) 
Go  on,  nigger ! 

VIRGIE.     (Quickly)     Uncle  Billy,  you  shut  up! 

BILLY.    Yes'm.    I'm  shuttin'. 

SALLY.  (To  MRS.  GARY.  Circling  around  her) 
I  gwine  down  stars  to  git  my  dinner.  When  I  come 
back,  I  sho  gwine  kill  you.  Fyar  you  well.  (Exit 
at  R.  making  wide  curve  as  she  passes  BILLY) 

VIRGIE.  Now,  mother.  I  have  to  watch  at  the 
castle,  window.  (Goes  up-stage  and  stands  outside 
of  gate) 

MRS.  GARY.  Yes,  you  be  sister  Anna.  (On  her 
knees)  Sister  Anna,  Sister  Anna,  do  you  see  any- 
body coming  ? 

VIRGIE.  Nothing,  Fatima,  but  a  little  cloud  of 
dust  that  is  made  by  the  wind. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  17 

BILLY.    Who  she  spectin',  anyhow,  Miss  Hallie? 

MRS.  GARY.  S-h-h  !  (Rocking  herself  from  side 
to  side)  Sister  Anna,  Sister  Anna,  do  you  see'n 
abody  comin'? 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  Fatima,  Fatima.  It's  growing 
bigger  ? 

BILLY.    Dar  now ! 

MRS.  GARY.    What,  Sister  Anna,  what  ? 

VIRGIE.  (Excitedly)  The  dust!  The  dust!  I 
see  a  horseman  in  a  cloud  of  dust!  (MRS.  GARY 
rises)  He's  comin'  this  way !  Oh,  look !  Look  ! 
(BILLY  rises)  He's  jumped  the  fence  an'  is  cuttin' 
across  our  fields!  (Becoming  more  excited)  He 
sees  me  !  He  sees  me !  He's  wavin'  his  hat !  He's 
wavin'  his  hat  to  me !  (She  cries  out  joyfully,  runs 
through  opening  in  hedge,  waving  her  arms  as  she 
disappears  at  left  rear.  MBS.  GARY  rises  in  con- 
sternation) 

BILLY.  Name  er  Gawd,  Miss  Hallie,  you  reckon 
she  done  brought  somebody  sho'  miff  ? 

SALLY.  (Entering  from  R.)  What  de  matter, 
Miss  Hallie?  What  de  matter? 

MRS.  GARY.  Nothing,  Sally — only — the  child  is 
taking  this  thing  too  seriously.  You  mustn't  play 
such  games  with  her  again.  You  see — (Crosses  up 
to  tree  above  house) 

BILLY.  Hi !  Listen !  /  hear  suppin' !  'Tis  a 
horse!  (Going  to  rear,  while  sounds  grow  louder 
and  VIRGIE  is  heard  to  cheer.  Stopping  at  hedge 
in  amazement)  Lan' er  Glory!  Hit's  him! 

MRS.  GARY.    Who,  Uncle  Billy,  who? 

(HERBERT  GARY  enters  on  horseback  from  left  rear, 
with  VIRGIE  in  front  of  him  on  saddle.) 

VIRGIE.  It's  daddy!  It's  daddy!  It's  daddy, 
mother !  He  came  just  like  the  brother.  You  better 
look  out,  Sally  Ann ! 


i8  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MRS.  GARY.    Herbert! 

(GARY  laughs  and  waves  his  hand,  dismounting  with 
VIRGIE.  He  is  dressed  as  an  officer  in  the  Con- 
federate army,  and  is  dusty  and  stained.) 

GARY.  (Comes  down  c.  Coming  to  MRS.  GARY 
with  open  arms,  he  kisses  her,  holding  her  in  his 
arms,  then  looks  tenderly  into  her  upraised  face, 
while  he  strokes  her  hair)  Oh,  God !  but  it's  good 
to  see  you  again !  It's  good ! 

(They  stand  for  an  insant  in  silent  embrace.) 

SALLY.  (Edging  up  bashfully,  with  her  beard  in 
her  R.  hand)  How  you  does,  Mars'  Gary?  How 
you  fin'  yo'se'f,  seh? 

GARY.  Why,  hullo,  Sally  Ann !  What  on  earth  is 
this?  (Starts  to  shake  hands,  but  stops) 

VIRGIE.  Why,  we  are  playing  Blue  Beard  and  you 
came  just  like  the  brother. 

GARY.  (Half  drawing  sivord)  I  believe  I  have 
the  pleasure  of — cutting  you  into  ribbons.  (Laughs 
as  SALLY  backs  away  R.) 

VIRGIE.    Oh,  don't  be  such  a  goosie ! 

GARY.  (Laughing)  Sally  Ann,  in  fact  I'm  going 
to  make  a  sister  Anna  of  you.  You  run  up  to  Miss 
Hallie's  room,  and  sit  by  the  window,  where  yon  can 
watch  the  road  and  the  woods.  If  you  see  anything 
—soldiers,  I  mean 

(SALLY  crosses  to  porch.) 

MRS.  GARY.    Oh,  Herbert !    You  don't 

GARY.     S-h-h-h!     Just  do  as  I  tell  you,  Sally; 

and  if  you  see  anyone  at  all,  report  to  me  at  once. 

Understand  ?    Off  with  you ! 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  19 

SALLY.  Yas,  seh.  (Exit  ;.:ito  house,  as  BILLY 
comes  forward  with  a  turkey  wing) 

BILLY.  Heh,  Mars'  Gary,  lemme  dus'  you  off, 
seh.  You's  fyar  kiver'd !  (Starts  to  brush,  when 
MRS.  GARY  backs  away  coughing) 

GARY.  (Laughing  and  pushing  him  away)  Look 
out,  you  old  rascal,  you  are  choking  your  mistress 
to  death.  There — never  mind  the  dust.  I'll  get  it 
back  in  ten  minutes. 

MRS.  GARY.  But,  Herbert!  Must  you  go  so 
soon? 

GARY.  Yes.  I'm  on  my  way  to  Richmond.  (To 
BILLY)  How  many  horses  are  in  the  stable? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Sits)  There  are  only  two  left 
now. 

BILLY.    Belle  and  Lightfoot. 

MRS.  GARY.    We  sold  the  others.    I  had  to. 

GARY.  Yes,  yes,  I  know.  It  couldn't  be  helped. 
(To  BILLY)  Here,  Billy,  take  my  horse  and  Belle. 
Lead  them  down  to  the  swamp,  and  hide  them  in 
the  cedars.  Then  saddle  Lightfoot — bring  him  here 
and  give  him  some  water  and  a  measure  of  corn. 
Look  sharp,  Billy !  Lively!  (Crosses  to  bench) 

BILLY.  Yas,  seh.  Right  away,  seh!  (Hurries 
out  at  L.  rear) 

MRS.  GARY.  Why,  Herbert,  dear!  (Crossing  to 
him)  You — you  don't  mean  to  say  that  the  Yankees 
are  in  the  neighborhood. 

GARY.  (His  arm  about  her)  Now,  come — don't 
be  alarmed.  It  may  be  nothing.  (Leading  her  to 
seat  at  R. — sitting  beside  her.  VIRGIE  kneels  at  R. 
of  CARRY)  There  are  several  foraging  parties — 
small  ones — a  few  miles  below  us.  I've  been  dodg- 
ing them  all  morning.  If  they  come  at  all  they  won't 
trouble  either  you  or  Virgie. 

VIRGIE.  I'm  not  afraid  of  'em,  daddy-man. 
(Doubling  her  fist)  Look  at  that ! 


20  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

GARY.  (Hugging  her}  Aha!  There's  a  brave 
little  Rebel !  You're  not  afraid  of  them !  (Turning 
to  MRS.  GARY)  Nor  you  either,  God  bless  you. 
(Smiling)  Only,  you  are  apt  to  be  a  little  too 
haughty.  If  they  search  the  house  for  arms  or 
stragglers,  make  no  resistance.  It's  best. 

MRS.  GARY.  Yes,  yes,  I  know;  but  you,  dear — 
you!  Why  are  you  here?  Why  aren't  you  with 
your  company? 

GARY.  Scouting  duty!  I've  been  on  it  for  the 
past  two  months. 

MRS.  GARY.  A  scout !  But,  darling,  why  ?  It's 
so  dangerous — so 

GARY.  (Checking  her  lightly)  Ah,  but  think  of 
the  fun  in  it.  It's  like  playing  hide  and  go  seek 
with  Virgie. 

MRS.  GARY.    Herbert. 

GARY.  (As  she  lifts  her  arms  to  him  he  changes 
his  tone)  They  need  me,  dear;  they  need  me. 
What  is  the  danger  to  one  man,  when  Dixie  is 
calling  to  us  all?  And  I'm  doing  work — good  work. 
I've  already  given  one  battle  to  General  Lee,  and 
now  I  have  information  that  will  give  him  another 
and  a  bigger  one.  Two  nights  ago  I  came  through 
the  Union  lines.  I 

MRS.  GARY.  (Rising)  What!  Through  the 
Yankee  lines?  Oh,  Herbert.  Not  as  a  spy! 

GARY.  A  spy?  Of  course  not.  I  hid  in  the  woods 
all  day,  then  climbed  a  tall  pine  tree  and  got  the  lay 
of  their  camp — the  number  of  their  guns — the  dis- 
position of  forces  and  their  lines  of  trenches.  Yes- 
terday I  had  the  wires  at  City  Point,  and  started 
trouble.  I'm  on  my  way  to  join  my  command  but 
had  to  stop  to  change  horses.  Poor  old  Roger  got 
a  wound  in  the  flank — from  a  stray  bullet. 

MRS.  GARY.    A  stray  bullet  ? 

GARY.     (Smiling)    Yes.    It  was  intended  for  me. 

VIRGIE.    But,  daddy;  while  you  were  up  in  the 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  21 

tree — (She  is  interrupted  by  the  excited  entrance  of 
SALLY) 

SALLY.  Mars'  Gary!  Mars'  Gary!  Somebody 
comin'  long  de  road ! 

GARY.  (Rises  quickly  and  up  to  gate)  Who? 
How  many  ? 

SALLY.  Des'  one.  Ol'  Dr.  Simmons.  He  drivin' 
by  de  gate  in  de  buggy. 

MRS.  GARY.    Oh,  Sally !    Sally ! 

SALLY.  But,  Lor',  Miss  Hallie,  he  toV  me  fer  to 
tell  him. 

GARY.  (Laughing,  crosses  to  SALLY  near  steps) 
That's  right.  You're  a  good  sentry.  Go  back  and 
watch  again.  Scoot! 

SALLY.    Yas,  seh.     (Exit  into  house) 

MRS.  GARY.  (R.  c.)  Now,  dear,  can't  you  com< 
into  the  house  and  let  me  give  you  something  to  eat  i 

GARY.  (Taking  her  cheeks  in  his  palms)  Noa 
honey;  I'm  afraid  I  can't.  Just  fix  me  up  some- 
thing— anything  you  can  find — and  I'll  munch  it  in 
the  saddle. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  steps  of  porch)  Very 
well.  I'll  do  the  best  I  can.  (Slipping  her  arms 
about  his  neck.  Standing  on  steps)  But,  oh,  how 
I  wish  it  was  all  over,  and  we  had  you  home  again ! 

GARY.  (Patting  her  shoulder)  It  soon  will  be 
over  sweetheart.  It  soon  will  be. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Releasing  him  and  stepping  back) 
Herbert !  You  mean — (Steps  up  one  step.  As  he 
sighs  and  half  turns  away)  But  isn't  there  a  hope — 
even — the  tiniest  ray? 

GARY.  There  is  always  hope — as  long  as  we  have 
a  man.  (Kisses  her  hand.  As  MRS.  GARY  looks  at 
him,  sighs,  turns  and  enters  house,  he  turns  brightly 
to  VIRGIE.  Crosses  to  bench}  Well,  little  lady? 
Have  you  been  taking  good  care  of  mother — and  the 
rest  of  the  plantation? 

VIRGIE.     (Sitting  on  ground  R.  of  bench)     Yes, 


22  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

sir.  Susan  Jemima  an'  me  have  been  lookin*  after 
everything. 

GARY.    Fine !    Keep  at  it. 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir.  But — but  daddy  we  had  to  eat 
up  Gen'ral  Butler. 

GARY.  Eat  up  General  Butler!  Why — why, 
what  are  you  talking  about  ? 

VIRGIE.  Well,  you  know,  daddy,  Gen'ral  Butler 
was  our  calf? 

GARY.    Calf?    Oh,  I  see. 

VIRGIE.  We  named  her  that  'cause  one  day, 
when  I  was  feedin'  her  with  milk,  she — she  almost 
swallowed  my  silver  spoon. 

GARY.  (Laughing  as  he  lifts  her  up)  Well! 
Well !  And  so  you  had  the  General  court-martialled, 
eh?  Wish  I'd  been  here  for  one  of  old  Ben's  cut- 
lets. (Puts  arm  around  VIRGIE  and  lifts  her  to  his 
knee)  Everything  else  all  right? 

VIRGIE.  No,  sir.  The — niggers  have  all  run 
away — (Pause)  'cept  jus'  Uncle  Billy  an'  Sally  Ann. 
Jeems  Henry  went  this  morning. 

GARY.  The  thunder  he  did!  The  scamp. 
(Crosses  to  c.) 

VIRGIE.  Sally  Ann  and  me  saw  him  in  the  woods. 
(Crosses  to  c.  to  GARY)  He's  gone  to  join  the 
Yankees.  (As  GARY  makes  impatient  gesture,  pac- 
ing to  and  fro)  Daddy-man,  do  you  like  bein'  a 
scout  ? 

GARY.  (Smiling)  Well,  not  particularly.  There 
are  too  many  blue  boys  after  me — with  a  pinch  of 
salt. 

VIRGIE.    H'm !    I  wish  I  was  a  man,  too. 

GARY.    Do  you?    What  would  you  do? 

VIRGIE.  I'd  get  a  big,  sharp  sword — like  yours — 
.an'  when  the  blue  boys  come,  I'll  stick  'em  in  the 
stomach. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Advancing  from  house  with  bundle, 
while  BILLY  appears  at  rear,  feeding  and  watering 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  23 

horse}     It  isn't  much,  dear;  but  it's  the  best  we 
have. 

(ViRGiE  goes  up  to  hedge.} 

GARY.  (Pocketing  bundle}  Honey!  (Kisses 
her,  then  speaks  seriously}  But  tell  me,  is  it  true 
that  James  Henry  ran  away  this  morning? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Sadly}  Yes.  I  knew  he  would 
leave  us  sooner  or  later ;  so  I  made  no  effort  to  de- 
tain him. 

GARY.    You  did  right.    Which  way  did  he  go? 

MRS.  GARY.  Up  the  river.  Uncle  Billy  says  he's 
gone  over  to  a  Union  camp  on  the  Chickahominy. 

GARY.     (Sharply}    Chickahominy! 

(Crosses  to  R.  in  front  of  seat.} 

MRS.  GARY.    Yes.    Why? 

GARY.  (Turning  away  in  frowning  thought, 
crosses  to  tree}  I'm  glad  to  know  this.  It's  most 
important — (Pause)  but  still — (Pause} 

MRS.  GARY.  What  is  it,  dear?  What  is  it? 
(Crosses  to  him} 

GARY.  Why,  don't  you  see,  darling?  They  are 
gradually  closing  in  on  us — surrounding  Richmond  ? 

MRS.  GARY.    Herbert! 

GARY.  (Bitterly}  Yes,  it's  true.  We  can  fight 
with  thousands — and  tens  of  thousands ;  but  not  with 
half  the  world.  (Sits}  Our  armies  are  exhausted. 
Dwindling  day  by  day.  We  are  drawing  from  the 
cradle  and  the  grave  !  Old  men — who  -can  scarcely 
bear  the  weight  of  a  musket  on  their  shoulders ;  and 
boys — mere  children — who  are  sacrificed  to  the 
blood-stained  wheels.  The  best !  The  flower  of  our 
land !  We  are  dumping  them  all  into  a  big,  red 
hopper.  Feed  !  Feed !  for  this  damned  machine  of 
war!  (Sits  on  bench  with  his  face  in  hands. 


24  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

VIRGIE  on  seat  behind  him,  slips  her  arms  about  his 
neck,  while  MRS.  GARY  advances,  standing  at  his 
side) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  him,  puts  arms  on  his 
shoulders)  There,  dear,  don't!  Don't  grow 
despondent.  Think !  Even  though  you've  fought  a 
losing  fight,  it  has  been  a  splendid,  glorious  one — 
and  God  will  not  forget  the  Stars  and  Bars!  (As 
GARY  lifts  his  head)  You  still  have  us — who  love 
you — to  the  end  ! — and  fight  your  battles — on  our 
knees.  (Kneels) 

GARY.  (Takes  her  in  his  arms.  MRS.  GARY'S 
hands  on  his  shoulders)  Forgive  me,  honey.  You 
are  right — and  bravest  after  all.  It  is  you — you 
women — who  save  us  in  the  darkest  hours.  You — • 
our  wives — our  mothers — who  wage  a  silent  battle 
in  the  lonely  broken  homes.  You  give  us  love  and 
pity — tenderness  and  tears — a  flag  of  pride  that  turns 
defeat  to  victory.  (Removing  his  hat)  The  women 
of  the  South!  (Rises)  A  crutch — on  which  the 
staggering  hope  of  Dixie  leans!  (He  opens  his 
arms.  She  runs  into  them,  and  for  a  moment  they 
stand  in  silent  embrace.  The  picture  is  broken  by 
the  hurried  and  frightened  entrance  of  SALLY  ANN 
from  house) 

SALLY.  Mars'  Gary !  Mars'  Gary !  Dey's  comin' 
dis  time — sho'  'miff.  (Whimpers) 

(Enter  BILLY.) 

MRS.  GARY.    What !    Where  are  they  ? 

GARY.    How  many?    (Crosses  to  c.) 

SALLY.  Dey's  comin'  th'u  de  woods — an'  Lawd 
Gawd,  de  yearth  is  fyar  blue  wid  'em. 

VIRGIE.  (Crosses  to  L.  of  GARY)  Daddy! 
Daddy !  Run  away — quick ! 

GARY.  All  right.  Bill,  you  take  Lightfoot  down 
to  the  edge  of  the  woods. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  25 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  R.  of  GARY)  Yes,  go, 
Herbert !  Go !  I'm  so  afraid  for  you ! 

GARY.  (Kissing  her}  Now  don't  worry.  They 
can't  catch  Lightfoot.  (Kissing  VIRGIE)  Good- 
bye, honey.  Take  care  of  mother.  Good-bye ! 

MRS.  GARY.    Herbert !    Which  way  will  you  go  ? 

GARY.    Across  the  river — to  the  Chesterfield  side. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Pointing  to  right  rear)  But  the 
Yankees  came  that  way,  too. 

GARY.  I  know  it.  I'll  have  to  circle  around  them. 
If  they've  left  a  guard  at  the  crossing,  I'll  swim  the 
river  higher  up.  (Touching  pistol  on  his  hip. 
Crosses  up-stage,  then  turns}  Listen  for  three  shots 
in  quick  succession — and  you'll  know  I've  crossed. 
(Takes  her  in  his  arms  and  kisses  her} 

BILLY.  (As  trumpet  is  heard)  Dar  dey  is! 
Dey's  comin'!  Hurry,  Mars'  Herbert!  Dey  git 
you! 

GARY.  (To  MRS.  GARY)  If  I  only  had  a  few 
men  I'd  stay ;  but  alone — I  can't — you  know  I  can't ! 
Good-bye — God  bless  you !  ( Vaults  into  saddle, 
waves  his  hand  and  goes  out  at  right  rear) 

VIRGIE.  (Calling  after  him,  up  R.  L.)  Good- 
bye, Daddy-man !  Good-bye ! 

BILLY.  (Crosses  down  to  SALLY)  What  de 
matter  wid  you,  nigger !  You  look  leTc  a  chick'n  wid 
de  haid  cut  off ! 

(SALLY  whimpers.    Sounds  of  approaching  men  off 
stage  L.) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  SALLY)  There,  Uncle 
Billy,  don't!  You,  Sally,  listen  to  me!  (Taking 
SALLY  by  shoulders  and  shaking  her)  Listen  to 
me !  You  and  Virgie  run  through  the  grove  to  the 
old  ice  house — ( VIRGIE  comes  down  R.  c.)  and  hide 
under  the  pine  tags.  Understand  ? 

SALLY.     (In  whimpering  terror)     But  I  skeer'd 


26  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

to  go,  Miss  Hallie.  I  wan'  stay  here  wid  you! 
Ou-ou!  (Sobs) 

MRS.  GARY.  But  you  can't,  I  tell  you!  You 
can't !  You'll  tell  everything.  Go  do  what  I  say — 
at  once !  Do  you  hear  me  ?  Go ! 

VIRGIE.  (Crossing  to  SALLY,  putting  her  arm) 
Oh,  come  on.  I'll  take  care  of  you.  Come  on ! 

MRS.  GARY.  (Kissing  VIRGIE  and  pushing  her 
and  SALLY  toward  R.  )  There's  a  brave  little  dear ! 
I'll  come  for  you  as  soon  as  they've  gone.  Hurry 
now !  Hurry ! 

VIRGIE.  Wait!  Wait!  (Running  to  swing  and 
taking  up  doll)  Goodness  gracious,  mother,  I  nearly 
forgot  my  child.  (Exits  with  SALLY  ANN  at  R.) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  R.  c.)  Now,  Uncle 
Billy,  remember!  If  the  Yankees  ask  for  my  hus- 
band, you  haven't  seen  him. 

BILLY.  Nor'm,  dat's  right.  I  dunno  dat  you 
eben  got  one.  (Pushing  her  gently  toward  house) 
You  go  in  de  house,  Miss  Hallie.  Dat's  de  bes' 
way — yas'm. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Crosses  to  the  house.  Hesitating  as 
sounds  of  approach  grow  louder)  Well — perhaps 
it  is  best.  The  longer  we  can  detain  the  Yankees 
here  the  better  for  Captain  Gary.  You'd  better  come 
yourself. 

BILLY.  (Again  pushing  her  to  steps)  Yas'm. 
In  des'  a  minnit.  I  be  dar  in  des'  a  minnit.  Yas'm. 

(Exit  MRS.  GARY  into  house.  BILLY  stands  for  a 
moment  listening  to  approaching  sounds.  He 
reaches  under  porch,  takes  out  an  axe,  goes  up 
steps  and  stands  on  guard  with  his  back  against 
door.  Off-stage  is  heard  a  loud  bugle  note, 
the  orders  to  dismount,  etc.  After  a  mo- 
ment from  left  rear  enter  half  a  dozen  troopers, 
led  by  SERGEANT  DUDLEY,  red-faced  and 
drunk.) 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  27 

DUDLEY.  This  way,  boys!  /  know  the  place. 
I've  been  here  before.  We'll  get  the  liquor  and  the 
silver  while  the  Colonel  is  stealing  the  horses,  eh? 
(Laughs  and  comes  forward,  pausing  as  he  sees 
BILLY  on  porch}  Hello,  you  damned  old  ape! 
Come  down  from  there  and  show  us  where  you 
buried  the  silver  and  the  whiskey!  Hear  me? 
Come  down!  (As  BILLY  stands  without  answer) 
All  right.  Then  /'//  come  up  and  get  you! 
(Staggers  forward) 

BILLY.  Look  here,  white  man!  You  stay  whar 
you  is !  Ef  you  come  up  dem  steps  I'll  split  yo'  ugly 
haid!  (As  DUDLEY  and  the  men  laugh,  BILLY 
points  finger)  I  know  you,  Jim  Dudley!  Mars' 
Cary  done  give  you  one  horse  whippin',  an'  ef  you 
hang  roun'  here  you'll  git  a  nudder  one. 

DUDLEY.  (Furiously}  Yes,  he  did,  damn  him! 
And  now  I'll  do  the  same  for  you!  (He  runs  up 
steps,  thrusts  axe  aside  with  his  carbine  barrel, 
seizes  BILLY  by  the  throat  and  pushes  him  against 
wall.  The  door  opens  quickly  and  MRS.  GARY  comes 
out,  pushing  him  aside) 

MRS.  CARY.  (On  porch)  Stop  it!  Stop  it! 
Leave  my  servant  alone — instantly! 

DUDLEY.  (Stepping  back)  H-r-r-r!  Mrs 
Cary,  eh?  (Ironically)  I'm  glad  to  see  you. 

MRS.  CARY.  (Looking  at  him  in  anger  and  con- 
tempt, and  turning  to  men  below  porch)  Who  is  in 
command  here? 

DUDLEY.  /  am !  And  I'd  just  as  soon  have  you 
get  me  a  drink  as  the  nigger.  Come  on,  sweetheart ! 
(Crosses  to  steps,  and  just  01  he  is  starting  up, 
COLONEL  MORRISON  appears  at  left  rear  with  a  dozen 
troopers,  he  vaults  the  hedge,  runs  forward,  catch- 
ing DUDLEY  by  the  collar  and  pulling  him  down 
steps) 

MORRISON.  (Furiously)  You  drunken  whelp! 
By  God,  I  ought  to  have  you  shot  (Flinging  him 


28  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

aside  so  that  he  stumbles  into  the  arms  of  a  trooper, 
then  turning  on  him  again.  Points  to  rear)  Report 
to  Lieutenant  Harris — at  once — as  under  arrest! 
(As  DUDLEY  mutters  defiantly)  Corporal !  Take 
his  gun!  (As  CORPORAL  DUDLEY  steps  forward 
from  line  of  men  taking  gun,  MORRISON  turns  to  the 
other  troopers  who  first  entered)  You  men  will 
hear  from  me,  too!  (Again  pointing  to  rear)  Go 
to  the  stable  and  wait !  Another  piece  of  work  like 
this,  and  I'll  have  your  coats  cut  off  with  a  belt 
buckle!  Clear  out!  (Crosses  down  so  back  is  to- 
ward DUDLEY.  The  men  start  out,  DUDLEY  mutter- 
ing and  looking  back) 

CORPORAL.  (As  his  brother  passes  him)  Don't 
be  a  fool,  Jim.  Obey  orders. 

(The  men  pass  out  leaving  CORPORAL  and  MORRI- 
SON'S line  of  troopers  standing  at  attention. 
MORRISON  turns  to  MRS.  GARY  on  porch.) 

MORRISON.  Madam — I  couldn't  apologize  for  this, 
no  matter  how  hard  I  tried;  but,  believe  me,  I 
regret  it — deeply. 

MRS.  GARY.  No  apology  is  demanded.  I  was 
merely  unfamiliar  with  the  Union's  method  of  at- 
tack. 

MORRISON.     (Stepping  back)    Attack? 

MRS.  GARY.  (On  porch)  What  else?  My  home 
is  over-run;  my  servant  assaulted — by  a  drunken 
ruffian. 

MORRISON.  (Sternly)  The  man  will  be  punished 
to  the  limit  of  my  authority. 

MRS.  GARY.    He  should  be.    We  know  him. 

MORRISON.    My  sergeant?    Dudley? 

MRS.  GARY.  Yes.  Before  the  war  he  was  an 
overseer — here.  He  was  cruel  to  the  negroes,  and 
my  husband  gave  him  a  taste  of  his  own  discipline — 
a  riding  whip! 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  29 

MORRISON.  Ah,  I  see.  (Looking  to  rear,  then 
back  to  MRS.  GARY)  It  is  not  always  in  an  officer's 
power  to  control  each  individual  in  the  service — 
especially  at  such  a  time.  But  I  beg  to  assure  you 
that  on  the  part  of  the  Union — and  mine — there  was 
no  intention  of  attack. 

MRS.  GARY.  (Descends  steps.  In  smiling 
sarcasm}  Oh!  Then  since  your  visit  would  seem 
a  social  one — how  may  I  serve  you,  sir? 

MORRISON.  (Laughing  lightly)  I'm  afraid,  my 
dear  madam,  you  are  wrong  again.  (As  she  turns 
in  inquiry)  My  detachment  has  been  ordered  on 
foraging  duty.  It  is  not  a  pleasant  task — but  our 
army  is  in  need  of  horses  and  supplies,  and  by  the 
rules  of  war,  I  must  take  what  I  can  find. 

MRS.  GARY.    Even  by  force? 

MORRISON.  Yes — even  force — with  its  proper 
limitations.  (Smiling)  I  rob  you,  it  is  true ;  yet  by 
the  virtue  of  necessity.  And  in  return,  I  can  only 
offer — (Again  taking  off  hat) — as  I  would  to  every 
other  woman  of  the  South — all  courtesy  and  protec- 
tion at  my  command.  (Bows  to  her) 

MRS.  GARY.  (With  a  sweeping  courtesy)  I  thank 
you.  There  is  consolation — and  even  flattery — in 
being  plundered  by  a  gentleman.  (With  a  gesture, 
indicating  the  house  and  plantation)  I  regret  that 
we  have  nothing  left ;  yet  I  beg  you — help  yourself. 

MORRISON.  (Amused)  At  least  you  make  my 
undertaking  a  difficult  one,  although  the  Lord  knows 
I  hardly  blame  you.  (As  she  turns  to  him)  Are 
there  any  rebels  hidden  in  your  house  ? 

MRS.  GARY.    No. 

MORRISON.  No  wounded  officers — or  refugees  of 
any  kind? 

MRS.  GARY.    None. 

MORRISON.  You  give  me  your  word  for  this — 
your  oath? 


30  THE  LITTLEST  REEEL 

MRS.  GARY.  I  do.  (Starts  to  go  up  steps  into 
house  ) 

MORRISON.  Thank  you.  (Turns  to  men  as  if 
about  to  dismiss  them,  hesitates,  and  turns)  Pardon 
me,  madam;  but  if  it  was  true — (Pointing  to  house) 
if  a  brother — or  a  father — was  concealed  in  there — 
wouldn't  your  answer  be  the  same? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Quietly)  I  would  try  to  protect 
them — even  with  a  perjury. 

MORRISON.  Ah !  Then  don't  you  see,  you  tie  the 
hands  of  courtesy — and  force  me — to  this  invasion 
of  your  home.  (Turning)  Corporal!  (As  the 
CORPORAL  takes  step  forward  and  salutes)  Make  a 
search  of  the  house  for  hidden  arms  or  stragglers — 
and  report  to  me.  If  any  rebels  are  found — bring 
them  out.  (As  CORPORAL  starts  to  turn)  Wait! 
Nothing  else — whatever — must  be  taken  or  molested 
(Signs  to  him  to  go.  CORPORAL  salutes  and  turns 
to  men) 

CORPORAL.  'Tention!  Carry  arms!  Left  face! 
Ready.  Advance!  (As  they  start  forward,  MRS. 
GARY  intercepts  them) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Comes  down  off  porch)  One 
moment !  (As  the  men  stop  involuntarily,  she  turns 
to  BILLY  or,  porch)  William!  Conduct  these 
soldiers  through  my  house — and  show  them  every 
courtesy.  If  the  Colonel's  orders  are  not  obeyed 
report  to  me. 

BILLY.  Yas'm.  (Grins  and  touches  hat  in 
imitation  of  CORPORAL) 

MORRISON.  (Laughing)  I'm  sorry  you  still  have 
doubts  of  my  honorable  intentions.  (With  mock 
humility)  May — may  my  soldiers  go  in  now? 
(As  she  nods  and  crosses  to  bench.  Sits)  Thank 
you.  (He  zvaves  his  hand  to  CORPORAL  who  ad- 
vances with  men.  BILLY  shoulders  axe  and  leads 
way.  Exit  with  them  into  house.  MORRISON  stands 
for  an  instant,  looking  at  MRS.  GARY  and  rubbing 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  31 

his  chin.  He  crosses  to  her}  Er — I  find  your 
stable  empty — (As  she  looks  up}  although  it  seems 
to  have  been  recently  occupied. 

MRS.  GARY.    Yes? 

MORRISON.  Yes.  You  can  insure  a  much  more 
speedy  departure — by  telling  me  where  these  horses 
have  been  hidden. 

MRS.  GARY.  Granted  that  we  had  them,  I'm 
afraid  I  must  trouble  you  to  hunt  for  them.  Other- 
wise there  would  be  no  sense  in  trying  to  protect  my 
property. 

MORRISON.  Right  again!  (Going  up-stage  to 
hedge  and  calling}  Orderly!  (As  man  appears 
around  corner  of  house  and  salutes}  Report  to 
Lieutenant  Harris  at  the  stables,  and  have  him  hunt 
the  woods  and  swamp  for  hidden  horses.  Hurry ! 
We  must  leave  in  half  an  hour.  (ORDERLY  whispers 
to  him.  Exits  L.)  Yes,  sir.  (As  ORDERLY  salutes 
and  retires,  MORRISON  looks  down  at  spot  where 
GARY'S  horse  has  been  fed.  He  glances  at  MRS. 
GARY,  then  comes  down  to  her.  She  has  taken  «/> 
her  sewing  again}  I  also  notice — that  a  horse  has 
recently  been  fed  and  watered  in  your  carriage  road. 
Whose  was  he? 

MRS.  GARY.  We  have  several  neighbors,  Colonel. 
They  visit  us  at  infrequent  times. 

MORRISON.  Undoubtedly.  But  when  they  call, 
do  you  usually  feed  their  horses? 

MRS.  GARY.  What  little  hospitality  is  ours — ex- 
tends to  both  man  and  beast. 

MORRISON.  I  can  well  believe  it.  (Smiling) 
And  in  happier  times  could  wish  it  might  extend — 
to  me.  (MRS.  GARY  rises  haughtily}  Oh,  I  mean 
no  offense.  Why  should  I  ?  And  I  only  want  you 
to  believe  that  I'm  sorry  for  this  intrusion.  (Turns 
azvay.  Goes  to  house,  one  foot  on  lower  step) 

MRS.  GARY.  (Reseating  herself)  And  was  that 
the  reason  you  asked  about  my  neighbor's  horse  ? 


32  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MORRISON.  (Turning.  Crosses  to  back  of  her) 
No.  There's  a  Rebel  scout  who  has  been  giving  us 
trouble — a  lot  of  it.  (Watching  her  narrowly) 
Handsome  fellow — riding  a  bay  mare.  I  thought, 
perhaps,  he  might  have  passed  this  way. 

MRS.  GARY.  It  is  more  than  possible.  The  road 
out  yonder  is  a  public  one. 

MORRISON.  It  is,  indeed!  And  where  does  it 
lead  to,  may  I  ask  ? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Taking  a  stitch,  then  looking  up) 
Well,  that  depends  somewhat  upon  which  way  you 
are  travelling — and  which  fork  you  take. 

MORRISON.  Possibly.  But  suppose  you  were  rid- 
ing North.  Wouldn't  the  right  fork  lead  to  Rich- 
mond— and  the  left  swing  around  toward  the  river 
crossing  ? 

MRS.  GARY.  As  for  that,  I  must  refer  you  to  a 
more  competent  authority. 

MORRISON.    Who? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Smiling)  Mr.  Jefferson  Davis. 
He  will,  I  am  sure,  be  happy  to  enlighten  you. 

(MORRISON,  in  slight  irritation  turns  away.    LIEUT. 
HARRIS  rides  in  at  L.  saluting  MORRISON.) 

MORRISON.    Well,  Harris? 

HARRIS.  I  have  to  report,  sir,  that  we've  gotten 
what  little  hay  and  corn  there  was  in  the  stables, 
and  are  waiting  for  your  orders. 

MORRISON.  Very  well.  We  leave  in  a  few 
minutes.  In  the  meantime,  send  a  squad  of  men 
along  this  road — (Pointing  to  R.) — toward  the  river 
crossing.  The  best  shots  you  have!  (Glancing  at 
MRS.  GARY)  You  understand.  Lively! 

(MRS.  GARY  registers  her  fear  for  GARY.) 
HARRIS.      (Turning   his   horse)      Yes,    Colonel. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  33 

(Exit  at  L.  As  MORRISON  turns  to  MRS.  GARY,  he  is 
checked  by  the  entrance  from  house  of  the  troopers, 
led  by  the  CORPORAL,  with  BILLY  beside  him. 
Troopers  stand  at  attention} 

MORRISON.    Well,  Corporal? 

MRS.  CARY.  (Who  has  arisen  and  advanced, 
checking  CORPORAL  with  a  lifted  hand,  and  address- 
ing BILLY)  Well,  William? 

BILLY.  (Grinning)  'Tis  all  right,  Miss  Hallie. 
Dey  ain't  took  nothin' — not  a  sin'l  thing. 

MRS.  CARY.  Thank  you,  William.  (To  the 
troopers)  And  thank  you,  gentlemen.  (To  MOR- 
RISON) Colonel — (She  crosses  to  seat  wider  tree, 
while  BILLY  goes  back  to  porch.  At  left,  in  carriage 
road,  a  squad  of  men  ride  quickly  across  and  go  out 
at  R.  MRS.  CARY  registers) 

MORRISON.  Now  then,  Corporal — (Indicating 
house)  you  found — what? 

CORPORAL.  Nothing,  sir.  We  hunted  from  cellar 
to  roof.  No  rebels.  No  hidden  arms. 

MORRISON.    H'm!    Anything  else  ? 

CORPORAL.  Three  bedrooms,  sir.  All  seem  to  be 
in  use. 

MORRISON.  Three !  Ah !  That's  all — join  you  in 
a  moment. 

CORPORAL.  (Saluting  and  turning  to  men)  Ten- 
tion !  Carry — h'rn's  !  Shoulder  h'm's  !  Right  about 
face!  H'c'h! 

( BILLY  on  porch  follows  Manual  with  his  axe.    Men 
exit.) 

MRS.  CARY.    Well,  Colonel?    Are  you  satisfied? 

MORRISON.  (Crossing  up  to  foot  of  steps.  BILLY 
is  leaning  against  pillar  of  house)  On  one  point, 
yes.  On  another — no !  (Indicating  BILLY  on 
porch)  Surely  you  are  not  here  alone — with  this 
one  old  negro  ?  (As  she  looks  at  him  defiantly,  mak- 


34  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

ing  no  answer.  He  comes  to  c.)  Madam,  we  are 
wasting  time.  I'm  after — a  Rebel  scout.  /  want 
him !  Which  way  did  he  go  ? 

MRS.  GARY.  I'm  sorry,  sir ;  but  our  Rebel  scouts 
usually  neglect  to  mention  their  precise  intentions. 

MORRISON.  Perhaps.  If  this  one  went  at  all.  Is 
he  still  here? 

MRS.  GARY.  I  should  imagine — not !  (Starting  to 
L.  but  pausing)  As  you  yourself  most  cleverly  dis- 
covered, we  fed  his  horse.  Then  since  he  had  one — 
and  a  good  one,  by  the  way — he  would  scarcely 
linger  to  receive  you. 

MORRISON.  Ah!  (Pointing  to  road)  Then  he 
did  go — this  way — to  the  river  crossing?  (As  she 
pauses  before  answering,  three  shots  are  heard  in 
the  distance.  MORRISON  turns  and  looks  off  right 
rear,  while  MRS.  GARY  registers  her  relief.  MOR- 
RISON coming  down  to  MRS.  GARY)  What  is  that? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Smiling)  It  sounds — like  firing — 
(Moving  to  foot  of  steps)  But  I  think  it  is  a  friend 
of  mine — saluting  me — from  across  the  river. 
Good-evening.  (Starts  up  steps) 

MORRISON.  One  moment — please !  (As  she  turns 
in  question)  I  must  be  answered! 

MRS.  GARY.    Well? 

MORRISON.  My  Corporal  reports  that  three  of 
your  rooms  are  in  use.  (As  she  looks  at  him 
defiantly,  making  no  answer)  Who  are  the  present 
members  of  your  family? 

MRS.  GARY.  (Hesitating,  then  coming  down 
steps)  Beside  myself  and  this  old  man,  I  have  a 
nurse — and  my  little  girl. 

MORRISON.    Where  are  they? 

MRS.  GARY.  When  we  heard  you  coming,  I  sent 
them  yonder — through  the  grove — to  an  old  aban- 
doned ice  house. 

MORRISON.    Why? 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  35 

MRS.  GARY.  Had  I  known  that  a  gentleman  was 
in  command 

MORRISON.  Thank  you — just  one  thing  more. 
Are  they  alone,  these  two?  No  other  besides  your 
nurse  and  little  one? 

MRS.  GARY.  No  other,  Colonel.  I  give  you  my 
pledge — of  honor.  (Looking  him  steadily  in  the 
eye)  If  you  have  one  single  doubt — I'll  take  you  to 
them.  Come. 

MORRISON.  (Detaining  her,  as  sounds  of  hoofs 
are  heard  off-stage)  I  hardly  think  it  necessary. 
The  word  of  a  gentlewoman — is  all  I  ask.  (Bows, 
Tj'iile  MRS.  GARY  makes  a  deep  curtsey.  Off-stage 
hoof  beats  stop  abruptly,  and  a  voice  is  heard  "  For 
Colonel  Morrison!  Urgent!") 

ORDERLY.  This  way.  (Appears  at  rear,  saluting 
as  MORRISON  steps  toward  him)  Courier,  sir — with 
dispatches. 

COURIER.  (Entering  L.  rear,  dusty  and  stained; 
advances)  Lieutenant  Colonel  Morrison? 

MORRISON.    Yes. 

COURIER.  (Handing  dispatch)  From  head- 
quarters. I'm  ordered  to  return  with  your  detach- 
ment. 

(MORRISON    reads    dispatch,    registers    and    turns 
sharply. ) 

MORRISON.  Orderly!  (As  man  salutes)  Report 
to  Harris  double  quick!  Have  him  recall  the  men 
and  sound  boots  and  saddle.  Then  bring  my  horse — 
here !  (As  ORDERLY  runs  out  at  L.  MORRISON  turns 
to  courier)  Any  details? 

COURIER.  We  expect  a  battle  to-morrow.  Two 
gun  boats  reported  coming  up  the  river.  A  wing  of 
the  Rebel  army  is  advancing  from  Petersburg. 
Every  available  detachment  is  ordered  in.  (HARRIS 
exit)  You  are  to  reach  camp  before  morning! 


36  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MORRISON.  (As  Bugle  call  is  heard  off-stage) 
All  right.  We'll  be  there.  Ride  with  us.  (With 
a  gesture  he  dismisses  COURIER,  who  salutes  and 
exits  at  rear,  while  orderly  appears  leading  MORRI- 
SON'S horse  along  drive.  MRS.  GARY  crosses  to  R. 
of  bench.  MORRISON  turns  to  MRS.  GARY)  Madam, 
I  must  make  you  a  rather  hurried  farewell — and  a 
last  apology.  (As  MRS.  GARY  bows}  And  now 
you'd  better  go  to  your  little  girl.  Just  tell  her, 
please,  I'm  sorry  if  I  frightened  her.  Good-bye.  If 
we  ever  meet  again,  I  hope  the  conditions  may  be 
happier — for  you. 

MRS.  GARY.  (With  a  curtsey)  I  thank  you, 
Colonel.  Some  day  the  rebel  scout  may  thank  you 
also  for  me  and  mine. 

MORRISON.  (R.  As  MRS.  GARY  goes  out,  he  calls 
after  her)  And  by  the  way — personally,  I'm  glad 
we  failed  to  find  your  horses!  (Turning  to  BILLY 
who  is  still  on  porch,  while  sounds  of  departure 
grow  louder  off-stage)  Here,  old  man !  Go  along 
with  your  mistress.  (As  BILLY  crosses)  I'll  be 
the  last  to  leave — and  will  see  that  nothing  is  dis- 
turbed. 

BILLY.  Yas,  seh.  Thank'e,  seh.  (Reaching  R. 
and  turning)  If  all  of  'em  whar  come  was  le'k  you, 
seh — (Stops  abruptly  staring  at  house,  his  mouth 
going  open.  Pointing  to  upper  window  from  which 
smoke  and  flame  appears)  Look  what  dey  done 
done !  Aw,  Gawd  a'mighty !  Look  what  dey  done 
done! 

(The  door  of  house  is  thrown  open.  SERGEANT 
DUDLEY  runs  out,  carrying  a  lighted  pine 
torch.) 

MORRISON.  God!  Dudley!  (As  DUDLEY  looks 
over  shoulder  and  continues  running)  Halt!  (He 
jerks  out  pistol  and  fires.  DUDLEY  falls.  MORRISON 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  37 

advances,  looking  down  at  him)     And  J  promised 
her — protection ! 

First  curtain  picture 

(MORRISON  goes  to  door  of  house,  as  if  to  put  out 
fire.    He  steps  backward  as  if  driven  by  flames.) 

Curtain 
( Torch — flash — red  fire — fan — smoke-pot.) 


ACT  II 

SCENE:  A  room  in  the  house  of  an  overseer  on 
some  plantation,  two  months  after  Act  I. 

Stage  setting  as  per  accompanying  diagram 
At  right  rear  is  an  open  door  with  green  trees 
and  bushes  beyond.  At  left  rear  is  a  window 
with  solid  shutter — now  open.  Between  door 
and  window,  about  ei-jht  feet  down  stage  is  a 
wooden  ladder  leading  to  a  closed  scuttle  in 
the  ceiling. 

At  L.  is  a  window  with  solid  shutter,  closed. 
At  L.  a  little  down  front  is  an  old  and  rusty 
cook  stove,  pipe  running  through  hole  in  the 
wall.  Water  kettle  with  steam  coming  from 
the  spout. 

At  R.  is  a  door  leading  into  an  adjoining- 
room.  At  left  rear  corner  is  a  large  deep  cup- 
board with  two  doors  now  closed.  At  c.  is  a 
rough  board  table.  There  are  several  chairs 
and  a  wooden  bench.  The  walls  are  bare. 
They  are  plastered  and  broken  in  places  and  the 
atmosphere  of  the  room  is  that  of  neglect, 
poverty  and  dilapidation. 


38 

No  one  is  on  the  stage  at  rise  of  curtain.  In 
the  distance  can  be  heard  the  faint  boom  of 
cannon. 

At  window  at  rear  HERBERT  CAKY  appears. 
He  wears  a  soiled  and  tattered  uniform  of  the 
Confederacy,  slouch  hat  and  muddy  boots.  He 
peers  through  the  zvindozv  cautiously,  then  calls 
in  a  guarded  voice. 

GARY.  Virgie! — Virgie!  (He  disappears  from 
window,  entering  room  through  door,  limping 
slightly  as  he  walks,  then  pauses,  crosses  swiftly 
to  door  R.,  looks  in  and  calls)  Virgie!  (He  turns 
quickly  as  if  alarmed,  sees  boiling  kettle  on  stove 
and  breathes  a  sigh  of  relief.  He  takes  up  a  bucket 
of  water  from  the  floor  and  drinks  eagerly.  He 
examines  his  pistol,  snapping  it  to  show  that  it  is 
empty,  rummages  vainly  through  a  drawer  in  the 
table,  showing  that  he  is  looking  for  ammunition. 
As  he  turns  dejectedly  away  there  is  a  faint  sound 
of  horses  hoofs.  He  crouches  beside  window  listen- 
ing, then  glides  into  room  at  R.  closing  the  door. 
The  sound  of  hoofs  dies  away) 

(A  childish  voice  is  heard  singing  off-stage.  Enter 
VIRGIE  from  rear.  She  wears  a  gingham  dress, 
a  calico  bonnet  and  is  barefoot.  In  one  hand 
she  carries  a  small  tin  bucket.  Under  the  other 
arm  is  a  doll  made  of  rags  wrapped  around  part 
of  a  branch,  the  two  projecting  limbs  being 
arms.  VIRGIE  advances,  still  singing,  draws 
chair  up  to  table,  puts  a  box  on  it,  then  sets 
doll  on  top  of  box.} 

(Song) 

"  Hurrah !    Hurrah  !    For  Southern  rights,  hurrah ! 
Hurrah,  hurrah  for  the  Bonny  Blue  Flag 
That  bears  a  single  star! 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  39 

VIRGIE.  Lord  a-mercy  child,  your  chin  don't  come 
up  to  the  table.  (She  pours  blackberries  from  her 
tin  pail  into  a  plate,  then  takes  a  handful  of  acorns 
from  her  pocket,  tossing  her  bonnet  aside.  Speaking 
to  doll)  Now,  Miss  Susan  Jemima,  you're  goin'  to 
have  some  breakfast.  (Shaking  her  head  sadly) 
It  isn't  very  much  of  a  breakfast,  darlin' — jus' 
blackberries  an'  acorn  coffee ;  but  we'll  make  believe 
it's  tea  an'  chicken — an'  punkin  pie  an' — an' — every- 
thing. (Holding  skirt  and  making  deep  bow) 
Allow  me,  Miss  Jemima,  to  make  you  a  cup  of  mos' 
delicious  coffee.  (Still  singing,  she  crosses  to  stove 
brings  kettle  and  pours  water  on  acorn  in  a  coffee 
pot)  Susan,  it's  ready  now,  and  we'll  say  grace, 
so  don't  talk  and  annoy  your  mother.  (Bow- 
ing head)  Lord  make  us  all  thankful  for  the  black- 
berries and  the  acorn  coffee — an' — an'  all  our 
blessin's ;  but  please,  sir,  send  us  somethin'  that  tastes 
jus'  a  little  better,  if  you  don't  mind.  Amen ! 

GARY.     (Calling)     Virgie! — Virgie! 

( VIRGIE  starts,  listening  intently  and  looks  about 
in  bewilderment,  as  if  wondering  where  the 
voice  came  from.  Her  father  puts  his  head 
through  door  and  calls  again.) 

VIRGIE.  (With  a  cry  of  happiness  runs  toward 
him)  Why,  daddy,  is  it  you?  Is — (She  stops  sud- 
denly as  he  places  finger  on  his  lip) 

GARY.  (R.  in  door  R.  In  guarded  tone)  Take  a 
look  out  the  back  way.  (As  she  crosses  to  door 
and  looks  out)  Do  you  see  anybody?  (As  she 
shakes  her  head)  Hear  anything? 

VIRGIE.  No.  It's  all  right.  (Running  to  him) 
It's  all  right. 

GARY.  (Kissing  her  and  taking  her  up  in  his 
anus)  My  little  girl!  My  little  rebel!  (As  she 
snuggles  in  his  arms,  crosses  to  R.  of  table  c.)  Did 
you  miss  me — awful  much? 


40  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

VIRGIE.  Yes — in  the  night  time — when  the  wind 
was  talkin',  but  after  a  while — why,  daddy — (As  he 
staggers  slightly,  puts  her  down  and  sinks  into  chair 
L.  closing  his  eyes  and  leaning  on  table)  You  are 
hurt.  I — I — I  can  see  the  blood  ! 

GARY.  (Bracing  up)  No,  dear — it  isn't  any- 
thing. Only  a  little  scratch — from  a  Yank — that 
tried  to  get  me.  But  he  didn't,  though.  I'm  just — 
tired. 

VIRGIE.  (In  an  awed  whisper)  Did  he — did  he 
shoot  at  you  ? 

GARY.  (Smiling)  I'm  afraid  he  did,  honey ;  but 
I'm  so  used  to  it  now,  I  don't  mind  it  any  more. 
Get  me  a  drink  of  water,  will  you?  (As  she 
crosses  to  bucket,  returning  with  cup)  I  tried  to 
2  it  here  yesterday — but  I  couldn't.  They  chased 
me  when  I  came  before — and  now  they're  watching. 
(Sipping  water)  Big  fight  down  the  river — listen) 
Can't  you  hear  the  guns  ? 

VIRGIE.  Yes — plain.  An'  las'  night  when  I  went 
to  bed,  I  could  hear  'em — oh,  ever  so  loud — Boom ! 
Boom!  So  I  knelt  up  and  asked  the  Lord — not  to 
let  any  of  'em  hit  you ! 

GARY.  (Slipping  an  arm  about  her,  speaking 
tenderly)  Did  you,  honey?  Well,  I  reckon  that 
saved  me  all  right,  for  not  one  of  them  touched  me — 
not  one.  (Shaking  his  head  and  sighing)  And  I 
tell  you,  Virgie,  they  were  coming  thick  as  bees. 
(Drinks  water) 

VIRGIE.    Daddy — how  is  General  Lee? 

GARY.  (Rises,  dropping  gourd,  removing  hat, 
and  speaking  reverently)  He's  well — God  bless 
him!  (Closing  eyes  and  speaking  sadly)  But  he's 
tired,  darling — mighty  tired.  (Sinks  back  into  seat) 

VIRGIE.  I'm  so  sorry,  daddy.  Will  you  tell  him 
somethin' — from  me  ? 

GARY.    Yes,  dear — what? 

VIRGIE.    Tell  him — if  he  ever  marches  alon?  this 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  41 

way,  I'll  come  over  to  his  tent  and  rub  his  head,  like 
I  do  yours — if  he'll  let  me — till  he  goes  to  sleep. 
(Clasping  her  hands)  Do  you  think  he  would — if  I 
washed  my  hands — real  clean  ? 

GARY.  Yes,  Virgie — I  know  he  would.  And 
think  !  He  sent  a  message  to  you ! 

VIRGIE.     (Delighted)     To  me? 

GARY.  (Nodding)  He  said — "  She's  a  brave 
little  soldier  to  stay  there  all  alone.  Dixie  and  I  are 
proud  of  her." 

VIRGIE.    Oh,  daddy,  did  he? 

GARY.  (Nodding)  And  look!  (Taking  a  folded 
paper  from  his  boot  leg)  He's  written  you  a  pass — - 
to  Richmond.  Can  you  read  it? 

VIRGIE.  (Leaning  against  his  shoulder  and  study- 
ing the  paper.  Pause.  She  looks  up  doubtfully) 
He — well — the  General  writes  a  awful  bad  hand, 
daddy. 

GARY.  (Smiling)  Dead  right.  I'll  read  it  for 
you.  (Reading)  "  Headquarters  of  Army  of 
Northern  Virginia.  Pass  Miss  Virginia  Gary  and 
escort  " — that's  me — "  through  all  Confederate  lines, 
R.  E.  Lee,  General." 

VIRGIE.  (Looking  up  into  his  eyes)  An'  he  did 
that — for  me?  (As  GARY  nods,  refolding  and  re- 
placing paper)  Oh,  daddy,  I  love  him  so  much,  it — 
it  makes  me  want  to  cry.  (Buries  her  face  on  his 
shoulder) 

GARY.  (Stroking  her  hair)  And  so  do  we  all, 
darling— -big  grown  men — who  have  suffered  and 
are  losing  all  they  love.  They  are  ragged  and 
wounded,  hungry,  and  oh,  so  fiVed.  But  when  they 
think  of  him — they  draw  up  their  belts  another  hole 
— and  say — (Rising  to  his  feet,  speaking  intensely) 
For  General  Lee — and  then  they  can  fight  and  fight 
and  fight — till  their  hearts  stop  beating — and  the 
God  of  battles  writes  them  a  bloody  pass.  (He 


42  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

turns,  takes  several  steps  away  and  bows  his  head, 
pressing  his  hand  to  his  eyes) 

VIRGIE.  (Coming  to  him)  Don't  you  worry, 
daddy  man.  We'll  whip  'em  yet. 

GARY.  No,  little  girl,  we  won't.  (Sinking  into 
chair,  speaking  almost  to  himself,  sadly)  We  won't 
— it's  hard  enough  on  men,  but  harder  still  on  chil- 
dren such  as  you.  (Turning  to  her)  Virgie — (As 
she  looks  up  at  him,  he  takes  both  her  hands)  I  had 
hoped  to  get  you  through  to  Richmond — to-day — 
but  I  can't.  The  Yankees  have  cut  us  off.  They 
are  up  the  river  and  down  the  river  and  all  around 
us.  I've  been  the  whole  night  getting  here — creeping 
through  the  woods,  like  a  rabbit,  with  the  blue  boys 
everywhere,  waiting  to  get  me  if  I  showed  my  head. 

VIRGIE.    But  they  didn't — did  they? 

GARY.    Not  yet. 

VIRGIE.  Did  you  bring  me  anything  ?  (Starts  to 
feel  in  his  pocket,  when  he  half  pushes  her  from 
him  ) 

GARY.    Don't,  dear,  don't. 

VIRGIE.    Daddy ! 

GARY.  Listen.  I  had  a  nice  little  bundle  for 
you — of  things  to  eat — (Reaching  out  his  hand  to 
her  nervously)  And  there  was  bread  in  that 
bundle — and  meat — real  meat — and  sugar — and  tea ! 

VIRGIE.  (Clapping  her  hands)  Oh,  daddy, 
where  is  it?  'cause  I'm  so  hungry  for  somethin' 
good. 

GARY.  (Rising  suddenly  and  turning  away  in  pain) 
Don't  dear,  don't — for  God's  sake  don't — don't. 

VIRGIE.  (Going  to  him  in  alarm)  Daddy,  it's 
hurtin'  you  again — what  is  it? 

GARY.  (Dejectedly)  Your  bundle,  Virgie — I 
lost  it — I  lost  it! 

VIRGIE.     (Crestfallen)     Oh — how  did  you  do  it? 

GARY.  (Leaning  against  chair  back)  I  was  con- 
ing through  the  woods — just  as  I  told  you — and  the 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  43 

Yankees  got  sight  of  me — (Smiling  bravely)  And  I 
tell  you,  Virgie,  your  old  dad  had  to  run  like  a 
turkey — wishing  to  the  Lord  he  had  wings  too. 
(As  VIRGIE  laughs  with  him — he  becomes  serious) 
Then  the  blue  boy  I  was  telling  you  about — when  he 
shot  at  me,  I  must  have  stumbled — because  when  I 
scrambled  up — I  couldn't  see  just  right — so  I  ran 
and  ran — thinking  of  you,  darling,  and  wanting  to 
bring  you  the  bread  and  things.  (More  intensely) 
I  had  your  bundle  in  my  coat — but  when  I  fell — 
why  Virgie,  don't  you  see — I  couldn't  go  back  to 
find  it.  But  I  would  if  my  powder  hadn't  gone. 
(Fiercely)  I  would,  by  God,  I  would!  (Sinking 
dejectedly  into  seat)  And  now  your  poor  daddy's 
no  more  use  to  you.  I  come  to  my  little  girl  with 
empty  hands — with  an  empty  gun — and  an  empty 
heart.  (Bon's  his  head  on  table,  his  body  shaking 
with  sobs) 

VIRGIE.  (Placing  an  arm  about  him  and  stroking 
his  head)  Don't  cry,  daddy  man — it's  all  right — it's 
all  right.  /  can  eat  blackberries.  They  don't  taste 
so  awful  good  when  you  eat  them  all  the  time,  but 
I  don't  mind.  We'll  have  jus'  heaps  of  things  when 

we  get  to  Richmond — just  heaps — and  then • 

(She  pauses,  listening  intently.  GARY  raises  his 
head,  listening  also  and  speaking  in  a  whisper) 

GARY.    Virgie — you  hear — what? 

VIRGIE.  Horses !  Oh,  a  lot  of  'em — on  the  big 
road !  (As  muffled  beats  of  hoofs  are  heard  with  a 
faint  jingling  of  sabres.  It  ceases)  Why — why, 
they've  turned  into  our  road !  (In  an  awed  whisper) 
Daddy — do  you  reckon  it's — Yankees  ? 

GARY.  (Rising  swiftly)  Yes !  Morrison's 
cavalry !  I'll  have  to  get  back  to  the  woods. 
(Kissing  her)  Good-bye,  darling — good-bye. 

(Crosses  to  door  but  starts  back  as  though  he  saw 
soldiers — crossing  and  closing  window,  then  starting 
back  against  wall)  Shut  that  door — quick — (As  ske 


44  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

obeys)  Lock  it!  (As  she  locks  the  door  and  turns 
to  him,  he  comes  to  her  and  takes  her  hands  in  his, 
speaking  earnestly)  Listen,  Virginia!  Don't  you 
remember  how  your  dear,  dear  Mamma  and  I 
always  told  you  never  to  tell  a  lie? 

VIRGIE.  And  I  haven't,  daddy  man — deed  I 
haven't. 

GARY.    Yes,  yes,  I  know — but  now — you  must. 

VIRGIE.     (In  wonder)     What? 

GARY.  This  once.  (As  she  seems  to  protest) 
No,  listen !  It's  to  save  me — don't  you  understand  ? 
And  it's  right.  If  those  men  come,  they  mustn't 
find  me.  Say  that  I  was  here  but  I've  gone.  If 
they  ask  which  way,  tell  them  down  by  the  spring — 
through  the  blackberry  bushes — Understand?  (As 
she  nods  he  takes  her  in  his  arms  and  kisses  her) 
Be  a  brave  little  rebel,  Virgie — for  me.  (He  begins 
to  mount  the  ladder  which  leads  to  trap  in  ceiling, 
but  pauses  half  way  up  as  she  calls  him) 

VIRGIE.  Daddy!  Would  General  Lee  want  me 
to  tell  that  lie? 

GARY.  Yes,  dear — this  once.  And  if  you  ever  see 
him,  ask  him  and  he'll  tell  you  so  himself. 

VIRGIE.    All  right.    I'll  tell  a  whopper. 

GARY.  God  help  you,  honey — it's  for  him — and 
you!  (GARY  climbs  through  the  scuttle,  draws  the 
ladder  up  after  him  and  closes  the  trap.  VIRGIE 
sits  at  table  opposite  the  doll  and  takes  a  spoon  in 
her  hand  to  eat  blackberries.  Sounds  of  approaching 
cavalry  grow  louder  and  louder) 

VIRGIE.  (Addressing  doll)  Susan  Jemima,  I 
wouldn't  tell  anybody  else — not  for  anythin' — but 
I  cert'ny  am  awful  scared!  (Off-stage'  the  sound 
of  approaching  cavalry  increases  and  there  is  a  sharp 
order:  "Halt!  Dismount!"  A  moment's  silence 
follows,  then  there  is  a  knock  at  the  door.  VIRGIE'S 
eyes  grow  big  but  she  makes  no  answer.  Much 
louder  knock.  Still  no  answer.  A  low  order  is 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  45 

heard  and  then  a  crash  as  the  door  is  knocked  from 
its  hinges  by  the  carbine  butts.  The  door  falls 
inward  and  across  it  step  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL 
MORRISON,  a  handsome  young  officer,  with  sabre 
drawn,  followed  by  four  men  with  carbines  ready 
for  fire.  They  come  with  a  rush  but  pause  in  utter 
astonishment  at  seeing  VIRGIE  seated  at  the  table. 
After  a  pause}  I — I  don't  think  you're  very  polite. 

MORRISON.  I'm  afraid  I  can't  help  it,  my  dear. 
(Looking  about  room,  then  turning  to  men,  indicat- 
ing room  at  R.)  He's  in  there,  I  guess.  Don't  fire 
if  you  can  help  it — on  account  of  the  baby.  Ready, 
boys — Advance  !  (  MORRISON  leads  the  way — the 
four  men  following  and  enter  room  at  R.  VIRGIE 
turns  her  head  slowly,  looking  after  them) 

VIRGIE.  (Calling)  Hey  there,  that's  my  room, 
and  don't  you-all  bother  any  of  my  things,  either! 

(After  a  moment  the  five  return,  the  men  grounding 
their  carbines  and  standing  at  attention.  MOR- 
RISON advances.) 

MORRISON.  (R.)  What's  your  name,  little 
monkey  ? 

VIRGIE.  I  don't  like  to  be  called  monkey it — it 

isn't  respectful. 

MORRISON.  (Laughing)  Oho,  I  see!  (With 
mock  bow}  A  thousand  pardons,  mademoiselle. 
(Replacing  sabre  in  scabbard)  And  might  I  inquire 
what  you  are  called  by  your — justly  respectful 
relatives  and  friends? 

VIRGIE.    Virgie. 

MORRISON.  And  a  very  pretty  name,  too.  Virgie 
what  ? 

VIRGIE.  My  whole  name  is  Miss  Virginia 
Houston  Gary. 

MORRISON.  Gary !  (Pause.  He  glances  at  men, 
then  back  to  her)  Is  Herbert  Gary  your  father? 

VIRGIE.     Mister  Herbert  Gary  is — yes,  sir. 


46  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MORRISON.  (Smiling)  I  stand  corrected.  Where 
is  he? 

VIRGIE.     (Hesitating  slightly)     I — I  don't  know. 

MORRISON.  (With  touch  of  sterness)  Is  he 
here? 

VIRGIE.  No,  sir.  He — he  was — but  he's  gone 
away. 

MORRISON.    Which  way  did  he  go? 

VIRGIE.  (Pointing  with  spoon)  Down  by  the 
spring — through  the  blackberry  patch.  Yes,  sir.  he's 
gone. 

MORRISON.  (Thinking  a  moment,  then  turning  to 
her  suddenly)  If  your  father  had  gone,  then  why 
did  you  lock  that  door? 

VIRGIE.    'Cause  I  thought  you  might  be — niggers. 

MORRISON.  (Gently — reflectively)  Yes- -I  see. 
(Looking  up)  Still — (Letting  his  eyes  rove  about 
room,  then  turning  quickly}  What  do  you  keep  in 
that  cupboard? 

VIRGIE.  We  used  to  keep  things  to  eat — when  we 
had  any. 

MORRISON.    What's  in  it  now  ? 

VIRGIE.    Tin  pans. 

MORRISON.    Anything  else? 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir.  (As  he  glances  at  her,  she 
nods  her  head  seriously)  Colonel  Mosby — an'  you 
better  look  out,  too. 

MORRISON.  (Smiling  as  he  turns  to  men)  Bright 
little  youngster.  We'll  have  a  look  anyway.  Stand 
ready — (They  face  cupboard  with  guns  held  ready. 
MORRISON  draws  his  pistol  and  advances  to  cup* 
board)  Now  then!  (He  opens  cupboard,  quickly 
stepping  aside.  It  is  empty,  but  has  a  colored  print 
of  MOSBY  pinned  inside.  The  men  register.  VIRGIE 
tilts  her  head  and  laughs) 

VIRGIE.  My,  but  you  looked  funny.  If  a  mouse 
had  jumped  out,  I  reckon  it  would  have  scared  you 
mos'  to  death.  (She  laughs  again.  MORRISON  looks 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  47 

uncomfortable.  The  men  hide  their  smiles  behind 
their  hands') 

MORRISON.  (Crossing  down  L.)  That  will  do 
men!  Corporal,  deploy  your  men  and  make  a 
thorough  search  Examine  the  ground  around  the 
spring  and  report. 

CORPORAL.  Tention!  Right  face!  Forward — 
march ! 

(The  men  march  through  door  at  rear.    MORRISON 
turns  smilingly  to  VIRGIE.) 

MORRISON.  (Crosses  R.  c.)  Now,  Virgie,  do  you 
mean  to  tell  me — cross  your  heart — that  you  are 
here — just  by  yourself? 

VIRGIE.  No,  sir — (As  he  glances  at  her  quickly, 
she  points  to  doll)  Me — an'  Susan  Jemima. 

MORRISON.  (Laughing)  That's  a  fact.  Hanged 
if  I'm  not  losing  all  my  social  polish.  (Bowing  and 
shaking  the  doll's  hand)  Charmed  to  make  your 
acquaintance,  Miss  Susan — believe  me.  My  name  is 
Morrison — Lieutenant  Colonel  Morrison — at  your 
service  and  your  mother's — (To  VIRGIE  with  a 
smile)  And  now — since  we  are  all  formally  intro- 
duced, we'll  have  a  nice,  quiet  little  chat.  (She 
makes  no  anszver.  Pause)  Well,  aren't  you  going 
to  ask  me  to  have  some  breakfast  ? 

VIRGIE.     (Doubtfully)    Er — no,  sir. 

MORRISON.    Why  not? 

VIRGIE.  (Nervously)  Cause — cause  you're  one 
of  the  damn  Yankees  ! 

MORRISON.  Oh,  oh,  oh,  oh !  Little  girls  shouldn't 
use  such  language.  Why,  Virgie  ! 

VIRGIE.  (Looking  up  at  him  seriously)  Well, 
it's  your  name,  isn't  it?  Everybody  calls  you  that. 

MORRISON.  (Smiling)  Yes,  I  suppose  they  do — • 
south  of  Washington.  But  don't  you  know,  we  are 
just  like  other  people?  (As  she  shakes  her  head) 


48  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

Yes,  we  are.  Why,  7  have  a  little  girl  at  home — not 
any  bigger  than  you. 

VIRGIE.    Have  you?    What's  her  name? 

MORRISON.  (Tenderly)  Gertrude.  Gertrude 
Morrison.  Would  you  like  to  see  her  picture? 
(Begins  to  unbutton  his  coat) 

VIRGIE.  Yes.  You  can  sit  down  if  you  choose. 
(Puts  SUSAN  JEMIMA  on  the  table) 

MORRISON.  Thank  you.  (Takes  seat,  pulls  out 
locket  which  is  on  chain  around  his  neck,  while 
VIRGIE  kneels  in  chair,  leans  across  table,  look' 
ing  eagerly)  Here  she  is — my  little  Gertrude. 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  she's  mighty  pretty.  An'  she's  fat, 
too.  I  reckon  Gertrude  has  lots  to  eat,  hasn't  she? 

MORRISON.    Why,  yes — of  course.    Don't  you? 

VIRGIE.  Sometimes — when  Daddy  gets  through 
the  lines  and  brings  it  to  me. 

MORRISON.  (Starting)  What!  Is  that  why  he 
comes  ? 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir. 

MORRISON.  Good  God!  (Rising,  turning  away, 
then  back  to  her)  And  at  other  times — >what  do  you 
eat? 

VIRGIE.  Blackberries — an'  coffee  made  out  of 
acorns.  (Confidentially)  My  cousin  Norris  told 
me  that  the  Yankees  have  coffee  every  day;  an' 
tea — an'  milk — an'  everything.  An'  butter! 

MORRISON.  Don't  Virgie — please — there  are  some 
things  we  can't  bear  to  hear — even  in  war.  (Takes 
scat,  speaking  gently)  Have  you  lived  here — 
always  ? 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  no.  This  is  the  overseer's  house. 
Our  house  used  to  be  up  on  the  hill  in  the  grove. 

MORRISON.    Used  to  be? 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir.    The  Yankees  burnt  it  up. 

MORRISON.  The  devil  they  did !  (Bus.)  Excuse 
me.  (Gently)  Tell  me  all  about  it,  won't  you? 
(He  sits.  VIRGIE  stands  near  him  but  gradual^1' 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  49 

comes  closer  as  the  scene  progresses,  finally  stand' 
ing  at  his  side,  fingering  a  button  on  his  coat) 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  it  was  a  long  time  ago — a  month 
maybe — and  they  came  after  our  horses.  Mamma 
an'  me  were  all  by  ourselves — 'ceptin'  Uncl  Billy 
and  Sally  Ann.  An'  we  were  scared — an'  we  hid  in 
the  ice-house 

MORRISON.  (Resting  elbow  on  table,  covering 
his  eyes  with  his  hands)  Yes,  dear — go  on. 

VIRGIE.  An'  the  blue  boys  ate  up  everything  we 
had — an' — an'  they  took  our  corn — an'  when  they 
went  away  from  our  house,  a  man  set  it  on  fire. 
(As  MORRISON  strikes  table  with  fist)  But  another 
man  got  real  mad  with  him — an'  shot  him.  7  know 
'cause  Uncle  Billy  put  him  in  the  ground.  (Look- 
ing up  at  him,  her  eyes  widening  in  awe)  An'  I 
saw  him ! 

MORRISON.  (Slipping  his  arm  about  her)  Don't 
think  about  it,  Virgie.  Well,  what  happened  then? 

VIRGIE.  We  came  to  live  here ;  but  Mamma  got 
sick — oh,  she  got  terrible  sick — an'  one  night  daddy 
came  through  an'  put  her  in  the  ground,  too.  But 
he  says  she's  just  asleep.  (Pause.  MORRISON  draws 
her  closer  to  him,  his  arms  about  her  tenderly)  An' 
last  Friday  Salty  Ann  went  away — I  don't  know 
where,  an' 

MORRISON.  What!  And  left  you  here — all  by 
yourself  ? 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir,  but  I  don't  care.  Sally  Ann 
was  a  triflin'  nigger  anyhow. 

MORRISON.  Wait  a  minute.  What  became  of  the 
old  colored  man  who 

VIRGIE.  line'  Billy?  Yes,  sir.  We  sent  him  up 
to  Richmond — to  get  some  things — but  he  can't 
come  back — the  Yankees  won't  let  him. 

MORRISON.     Won't  they? 

VIRGIE.  No,  sir.  An'  daddy's  been  tryin'  to  get 
me  up  to  Richmond — where  my  Aunt  Margaret 


50  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

lives,  but  he  can't,  'cause  the  Yankees  are  up  the 
river  an'  down  the  river  an' — an'  everywhere — an' 
he  can't!  (Pause)  My,  but  you've  got  fine  clo'se. 
Daddy's  clo'se  are  all  rags — with — holes  in  'em. 
(As  MORRISON  rises,  turning  to  hide  his  emotion) 
What  did  you  come  after  daddy  for  ? 

MORRISON.  (Turning,  showing  his  pain  as  he 
speaks)  Not  because  I  wanted  to,  child.  But  you 
wouldn't  understand.  It's  war.  One  of  the  hateful, 
pitiful  things  of  war.  I  came  because  I  had  my 
orders. 

VIRGIE.     (Rises)     From  your  General  ? 

MORRISON.  (Looking  at  her  in  surprise)  Yes — 
my  General. 

VIRGIE.  An'  do  you  love  him  like — like  7  love 
General  Lee? 

MORRISON.    Yes,  dear — of  course. 

VIRGIE.  Oh!  (Looks  thoughtfully  at  floor,  then 
up  at  him)  An'  didn't  you  know  if  you  hurt  daddy, 
I'd  tell  Uncle  Fitz  Lee  on  you  ? 

MORRISON.    No.    Is  he  your  uncle  ? 

VIRGIE.  He's  everybody's  uncle.  If  you  hurt  my 
daddy,  he'd  come  right  after  you — an'  lick  the 
stuffins  out  of  you. 

MORRISON.  (Laughing)  Well,  to  tell  you  the 
honest  truth,  your  Uncle  Fitz  Lee  has  done  it  al- 
ready— several  times. 

VIRGIE.  (Clapping  her  hands  in  glee)  Has  he? 
Has  he?  Has  he? 

MORRISON.  He  has.  But  to  come  back  to  the 
subject  of  you  and  me.  (Noise  up  loft)Why — (He 
pauses,  listening  intently)  What  was  that? 

VIRGIE.  /  didn't  hear  anything.  (MORRISON 
looks  up  at  ceiling,  starting  as  he  sees  the  scuttle. 
Walks  under  it  and  looks  up— VIRGIE  breathes  fast) 
You — you  don't  think  he  can  fly,  do  you  ? 

MORRISON.  No,  little  rebel,  but  there  are  other 
ways.  (Crossing,  looking  at  table  and  comparing  its 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  51 

height  with  the  scuttle  in  ceiling,  then  turning 
quickly)  Is  there  anyone  up  in  that  loft?  (No 
ansiver — she  backs  away  from  him)  Tell  me  the 
truth — look  at  me!  (No  answer — he  advances, 
speaking  more  sternly)  Do  you  hear,  girl!  Look 
at  me !  (She  raises  her  eyes  to  his  slowly,  then  lets 
them  fall,  turning  her  head  away.  He  speaks  in 
slow,  sad  reproach)  And  so  you  told  me  a  story — 
and  all  the  rest — is  a  story,  too.  Oh,  Virgie — Virgie ! 

VIRGIE.  (Beginning  to  cry)  I  didn't.  I  didn't 
tell  you  stories — only  one  little  one — an'  it  was  for 
daddy — an'  General  Lee.  (She  sobs,  sinking  down 
by  bench) 

MORRISON.  Well,  I'm  sorry,  my  dear — (Sigh- 
ing) I'm  sorry.  (He  sweeps  plate  of  berries 
and  the  doll  front  table  and  starts  to  push  table 
across  toward  scuttle) 

VIRGIE.  (In  tears  and  terror)  What  are  you 
goin'  to  do?  Oh,  what  are  you  goin'  to  do?  (No 
answer  but  he  starts  to  place  chair  on  top  of  table) 
You  shan't !  You  shan't !  He's  my  daddy — an'  you 
shan't.  Oh,  daddy— daddy !  (Sobs) 

MORRISON.  (Turning  away,  showing  his  suffer- 
ing) Oh,  I  can't — I  can't.  There  must  be  some 
other  way — and  yet — (He  pauses  in  thought,  look- 
ing off  rear,  while  the  distant  boom  of  cannon  may 
be  heard,  seeming  to  call  him  to  duty.  He  turns  to 
VIRGIE)  Well,  Virgie,  the  only  thing  I  can  do  then 
— is  to  take  you — and  give  you  to  the  Yankees. 
(He  advances  siviftly  and  catches  her  wrist.  VIRGIE 
screams  in  terror,  trying  to  draw  away.  Her 
father's  head  and  shoulders  appear  in  scuttle,  his 
hand  extended,  holding  his  pistol) 

GARY.  (Fiercely)  Drop  it,  you  hound!  Drop 
it! 

MORRISON.  (Looking  up  with  a  smile)  Ah,  I 
thought  that  would  bring  you  out.  (  VIRGIE  crouches 
on  floor)  And  you  needn't  trouble  about  your  gun. 


52 

If  you  had  any  ammunition  you  would  have  returned 
our  fire  back  yonder  in  the  woods.  (Pause)  The 
game's  up,  Gary.  Come  down. 

(GARY  hesitates,  then  after  a  moment  disappears. 
The  ladder  is  let  down  and  GARY  slowly 
descends.  VIRGIE  runs  to  him.) 

VIRGIE.  (Weeping)  Oh,  daddy,  daddy,  it  was 
my  fault.  I  didn't  do  it  right.  I  didn't  do  it  right ! 

GARY.  (Taking  her  face  in  his  hands,  looking 
down  tenderly)  Yes  you  did,  honey;  you  did 
splendidly — (Kissing  her)  Splendidly.  (Turning 
to  MORRISON,  with  his  arm  about  VIRGIE)  You've 
had  a  long  chase,  Colonel;  but  you've  gotten  my 
brush  at  last. 

MORRISON.  (Earnestly)  Mr.  Gary — you're  a 
brave  man — and  one  of  the  best  scouts  in  the  rebel 
army — I'm  sorry  for  this — more  than  I  can  say. 
(As  GARY  looks  at  him  and  makes  no  answer)  Are 
you  carrying  any  dispatches? 

GARY.    No. 

MORRISON.  Any  other  papers — of  any  kind? 
(As  GARY  looks  at  him  and  makes  no  answer)  It  is 
quite  useless  to  refuse — give  them  to  me. 

GARY.  (Looking  him  in  the  eye,  speaking  quietly) 
You  can  take  it — afterwards. 

VIRGIE.    You  can't  have  it.    It's  mine. 

MORRISON.    Yours? 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir.  My  pass  to  Richmon'.  From 
General  Lee. 

MORRISON.  (Hesitating,  looking  from  one  to  the 
other.  Speaks  to  GARY)  Is  this  true?  (Holds  out 
hand  for  paper.  GARY  frowns,  hesitates,  then  takes 
paper  from  his  boot  leg  and  hands  it  to  MORRISON. 
MORRISON  moves  a  step  away,  unfolds  and  reads  it. 
To  himself)  Miss  Virginia  Gary,  and  escort. 
(Crushes  paper  in  his  hand  which  sinks  slowly  to  his 
side,  while  he  looks  before  him  in  thought.  He 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  53 

turns  to  GARY)  Who  was  to  be  her  escort?  You? 
(GARY  folds  VIRGIE  in  his  arms,  bowing  his  head. 
MORRISON  speaks  softly)  I'm  sorry — very  sorry. 
(He  turns  away,  his  hand  on  his  sword  hilt) 

GARY.  (To  VIRGIE)  Go  in  the  other  room, 
honey.  I'll  call  you  in  a  minute.  ( VIRGIE  looks  up 
at  him  in  doubt,  takes  a  step  toward  MORRISON, 
pauses,  then  turns  and  goes  quietly  into  room  R., 
closing  door  after  her.  GARY  steps  toward  c.. 
staggers  slightly.  MORRISON  steps  forward  to  assist 
him,  but  GARY  waves  him  off)  Thank  you — I  don't 
want  help — from  you.  (Steadies  himself  on  chair 
back,  and  sinks  into  seat) 

MORRISON.  (Standing  a  moment  and  looking 
dozen  at  him)  Why? 

GARY.  Because  I  don't  ask  quarter — (Bitterly) 
nor  aid  from  a  man — who  frightens  babies. 

MORRISON.  (Gently)  And  I  wouldn't  hurt  a  hair 
of  her  splendid  little  head.  (Pause)  'Twas  the 
only  thing  to  do,  Gary.  Otherwise  my  men  might 
have  had  to  shoot  you — before  her  eyes.  (Turns 
aivay,  then  back  again)  It  isn't  easy  for  me  to  track 
a  fellow  creature  down — to  take  him,  when  he's 
wounded — practically  unarmed — and  turn  him  over 
to  the  firing  squad.  (Setting  his  lips)  But  it's 
war,  my  friend — one  of  the  merciless  realities  of 
war — and  you  ought  to  know  the  meaning  of  the 
word. 

GARY.  (Bitterly)  Yes,  I  know.  It  has  taken 
four  years  to  teach  me — but  I  know !  Look  at  me ! 
Look  at  my  country — swept  as  bare  as  a  stubble 
field.  You've  whipped  us,  maybe — with  your 
millions  of  money  and  your  endless  men — and  now 
you  are  warring  with  the  children  and  women. 
(With  bitter  sarcasm)  A  glorious  victory,  Colonel 
— and  may  you  get  your  reward — in  hell! 

MORRISON.  (Quietly)  There  are  two  sides  to 
the  question,  Gary — but  there  must  be  one  flag! 


54  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

GARY.  (Sharply)  Then  fly  your  flag  in  justice! 
A  while  ago  you  called  me  a  brave  man  and  a  good 
scout;  because  I'm  both,  your  people  have  set  a 
price  on  me !  Five  hundred  dollars — alive  or  dead ! 
A  gentleman  and  a  scout — for  just  half  the  price 
of  one  good,  sound  nigger!  By  God,  it  makes  me 
proud. 

MORRISON.  (Sternly)  You  are  more  than  a 
scout,  Gary.  You've  carried  dispatches — intercepted 
ours,  for  all  of  which,  if  taken,  you  would  have  been 
a  prisoner  of  war — no  more !  But  you've  entered 
our  lines,  not  in  a  uniform  of  gray,  but  blue,  and 
you've  cost  us  two  important  battles. 

GARY.  And  had  you  done  the  same  it  would  have 
meant  promotion.  (Pause)  I  don't  care  for  my- 
self— it's  all  in  the  game — and  I  only  wanted  to  get 
my  little  girl  to  Richmond.  (Rising  from  his  chair) 
But  you've  run  me  to  earth — and  you've  blocked  her 
chance.  It's  Virgie  you're  fighting  now,  not  me! 
(Turns)  Yes,  just  as  though  you  rode  her  down 
with  a  troop  of  horses !  (As  MORRISON  turns  on 
him  in  impatience  )  A  fine  thing,  Colonel !  For  you 
a  brevet — for  me,  the  firing  squad !  Well,  call  in 
your  men  and  get  it  over!  (In  smiling  bitterness) 
It  adds  to  the  glory  of  your  conquering  sword — and 
besides  you'll  receive  five  hundred  dollars  in  re- 
ward! 

MORRISON.  (Fiercely)  Stop  it,  man!  For  God's 
sake,  stop  it !  It's  duty — not  a  miserable  reward ! 
Do  you  suppose  I'm  proud  of  this?  Do  you  think 
I'm  wringing  blood  out  of  your  heart  and  mine — 
for  money?  Damn  you  for  thinking  it!  (Holds 
position,  eye  to  eye) 

GARY.  (Softening)  Well,  I'm  glad  you  feel  that 
way — and  after  all — you're  doing  what  you  think  is 
right,  and  I  know  it's  hard.  (Crosses  R.,  pause)  I 
• — ask  you  just  one  thing — not  for  myself — but  her, 
for  Virgie.  (Pause — he  takes  a  step  nearer)  Get 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  55 

the  poor  little  tad  through  your  lines  and  don't  let 
her  know  about  me?    Will  you? 

MORRISON.    I  will! 

GARY.  Thank  you,  Morrison.  If  it  wasn't  war 
times — (He  stops,  sighs  heavily,  turns  and  calls) 
Virgie !  Virgie ! 

VIRGIE.  (Opening  door  and  advancing)  You 
talked  a  mighty  long  time,  daddy.  It  was  a  heap 
more  than  just  a  minute. 

GARY.  (With  forced  cheerfulness)  Did  we? 
Well,  we  had  lots  to  say.  (Seating  himself  and  tak- 
ing her  hands)  Now  listen,  honey ;  I'm  going  away 
with  this  gentleman — (As  she  looks  up  quickly) 
Oh,  but  he  invited  me.  And  think !  He's  coming 
back  for  you  to-day — and  send  you  up  to  Richmond. 
Isn't  that  fine? 

VIRGIE.  (Turning  slowly,  looking  at  MORRISON, 
then  back  again  )  Daddy — he's  a  right  good  Yankee 
—isn't  he  ? 

GARY.  (Smiling  sadly)  Yes,  honey,  he's  mighty 
good.  (Folding  VIRGIE  in  his  arms,  kissing  her. 
Business) 

MORRISON.    Gary ! 

GARY.  (Rising  and  backing  away  from  VIRGIE) 
Good-bye,  darling — good-bye ! 

/VIRGIE.  (As  GARY  turns)  Good-bye,  Daddy! 
I'll  see  you  up  in  Richmond ! 

(The  eyes  of  the  two  men  meet.    Troopers  are  heard 
returning  off-stage.) 

MORRISON.  (Sighing,  taking  step  toward  her, 
pausing  and  turning)  Wait!  I'd  rather  my  men 
shouldn't  know  I've  talked  with  you.  (Pointing  to 
scuttle  in  ceiling)  You'd  better  go  back. 

GARY.    Is  that  necessary? 

MORRISON.    It's  best. 


56  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

(GARY'  makes  military  salute,  crosses  and  climbs 
ladder.  Pie  pauses,  looks  down  at  VIRGIE,  then 
disappears  through  scuttle,  drawing  up  ladder 
and  closing  trap.  MORRISON  goes  to  table,  takes 
out  a  pencil  and  writes  on  VIRGIE'S  pass  in 
silence.) 

VIRGIE.  Mr.  Yankee.  You  are  goin'  to  let  daddy 
come  up  to  Richmon',  too — aren't  you  ? 

(MORRISON  bites  his  lip  and  turns  away  without 
answer.     The  four  soldiers  enter  from  rear.) 

MORRISON.    Well,  Corporal? 

CORPORAL.  (Saluting)  Nothing,  sir.  No  tracks 
around  he  spring.  No  traces  of  the  fellow  any- 
where. (Noticing  changed  position  of  table)  Bu" 
I'm  glad  to  see  that  you've  had  better  luck  yourself. 

MORRISON.  Yes,  I  think  I've  found  out  where  he 
is.  (Points  to  ceiling)  Push  that  table  under  the 
trap.  (Turning  to  one  of  the  men)  Light  that 
candle,  Corporal.  (Pushing  chair  to  side  of  table) 
You  men  get  up.  (As  the  other  three  men  mount 
the  table  MORRISON  mounts  it  also.  VIRGIE  stands 
looking  on  in  childish  wonder)  Now  then — give  me 
a  boost.  ( The  men  hold  him  up  so  that  he  can  push 
the  trap  aside)  Pass  up  that  candle,  Corporal. 
(The  candle  is  passed  up.  He  holds  it  through  the 
trap,  his  head  being  out  of  view.  His  head  re- 
appears) All  right,  let  me  down.  (As  the  men 
lower  him,  he  jumps  from  the  table  and  turns) 
The  baby's  right,  boys.  He  isn't  there! 

VIRGIE.    O-h!    (Puts  hand  over  her  mouth) 

CORPORAL.     (Sharply)     Colonel! 

(The  men  look  at  MORRISON  in  astonishment,  seem- 
ing to  see  through  his  trick.  He  speaks 
sharply.) 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  57 

MORRISON.  Down  with  you !  (As  the  men 
jump  to  the  floor  and  take  up  carbines)  'Tention — 
Right  about  face!  March!  (They  pass  out  at  rear. 
MORRISON  turns  to  VIRGIE  holding  fout  paper) 
Here's  your  pass  to  Richmond,  Virgie.  For  you  and 
escort — through  the  Federal  lines. 

VIRGIE.    You  mean  for  daddy,  too? 

MORRISON.  Yes,  you  little  Rebel,  but  it's  going 
to  cost  you — a  kiss.  (He  is  standing  near  bench 
VIRGIE  runs  forward,  he  lifts  her  on  bench  and  she 
throzvs  her  arms  about  his  neck,  kisses  him) 

VIRGIE.  Wait !  Here's  another — for  Gertrude. 
(Kisses  him)  Tell  her  it's  from  Virgie — -'cause 
you're  the  nicest  damn  Yankee  that  ever  was. 
(MORRISON  laughs  and  sets  her  down,  as  GARY  ap- 
pears in  trap  overhead.  Calling  excitedly)  Daddy, 
look !  Look  what  the  Yankee  gave  me  !  For  me ! 
For  you !  Look,  daddy !  Look ! 

(GARY  has  reached  her  side,  takes  paper  and  looks 
at  it,  'crushing  it  in  his  hand  as  he  tries  to 
speak.) 

GARY.    Morrison ! 

MORRISON.  (Placing  a  hand  on  his  shoulder) 
Some  day — it  will  all  be  over.  (As  GARY  looks  up) 
I  only  ask  that  you  take  your  little  girl  to  Richmond 
— no  more. 

GARY.    You  mean — ? 

MORRISON.  That  in  passing  through  our  lines, 
whatever  you  see  or  hear — forget ! 

(GARY  turns  to  him.  The  hands  of  the  two  men  go 
out  and  meet  across  the  fallen  door,  VIRGIE 
standing  between  them.) 

(NOTE :    Just  as  the  hands  of  MORRISON  and  GARY 


58  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

meet,  the  sunlight  is  shot  through  the  hole  in 
the  wall,  falling  on  them,  while  the  orchestra 
changes  from  the  plaintive  air  it  has  been  play- 
ing to  the  "Star  Spangled  Banner") 

CURTAIN 


ACT  III 

SCENE:  On  the  road  to  Richmond.  Late  after- 
noon of  the  same  day. 

Scene  represents  r  glade  on  the  roadside.  At 
R.,  near  front,  is  c  pile  of  irregular  rock,  helping 
to  form  the  wing.  It  overhangs  slightly,  and 
has  a  spring  among  the  loose  stones.  At  L.  is 
rising  ground,  forming  a  sort  of  mound.  At 
rear,  running  across  stage,  is  an  old  stone  wall, 
showing  the  dip  of  the  road  beyond  it.  On  wall 
are,  vines,  with  a  few  small  trees  at  irregular 
intervals.  Back  drop  presents  a  stretch  of  sky, 
the  ground  on  which  wall  stands  being  too  high 
to  show  the  fields  beyond  it. 

Wood  wings  at  L,  and  R.  Entrances  i,  2  and 
3  at  both  L.  and  R.  See  diagram  attached. 

DISCOVERED:  CARY,  appearing  on  road  at  L. 
carrying  VIRGIE  in  his  arms.  He  sets  her  down 
on  top  of  wall,  where  she  stands  on  one  foot, 
while  he  climbs  over  and  takes  her  in  his  arms 
again.  She  still  carries  her  doll. 

CARY.  (Coming  down  the  hill  toward  R.  front) 
It's  all  right,  honey.  There's  a  spring  down  here 
somewhere ;  and  we  can  look  after  that  poor  little 
foot.  Ah!  Here  it  is  1  (Putting  her  down  on  rock, 


59 

and  seating  himself  near  her)  Just  sit  still  a  minute 
• — till  I  rest — and  we'll  have  a  look.  (He  leans  back 
against  rock  wall  and  closes  his  eyes) 

VIRGIE.  (Reaching  out  to  him)  Are  you  so 
tired,  daddy-man? 

GARY.  Yes,  dear ;  just  a  little.  I've  got  to  catch 
my  breath.  But  I'm  all  right.  (Pause)  Now  then ! 
We'll  call  in  the  hospital  corps.  (As  he  rises  VIRGIE 
crosses  her  knees,  holding  her  foot  in  her  hand  and 
rocking  forward  and  backward.  GARY  turns  to  her) 
Does  it  hurt  you — much? 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir.    It — it  hurts  like  the  mischief ! 

GARY.  (Patting  her  head)  Ah,  that's  too  bad. 
But  after  we  bathe  it  and  tie  it  up,  it  will  feel  better. 
Lots.  (Takes  off  hat,  kneels  at  spring  and  dips  up 
water) 

VIRGIE.     (Slapping  her  leg)    Wow ! 

GARY.    What  is  it,  darling? 

VIRGIE.  There  are  'skeeters  roun'  this  place. 
One  of  'em  bit  me — a  old  he  one.  Jimmany ! 

GARY.  (Advancing  with  water-filled  hat,  smiling) 
Did  he  ?  Well,  there  are  much  worse  things  in  the 
world  than  those  little  fellows !  Much !  (Placing 
hat  on  ground  and  kneeling  beside  her)  Now  let's 
see.  We'll  have  to  get  the  grime  off  first.  Just  dip 
the  little  wounded  soldier  in. 

VIRIE.     What?     My  foot  in  your  hat?    Daddy! 

GARY.  (Laughing)  It's  all  right,  honey.  That 
old  hat's  a  veteran.  He  don't  mind  anything.  Souse 
her  in !  (As  she  puts  foot  in)  There — easy  now — 
easy.  The  big  toe  first.  (As  VIRGIE  makes  a  face. 
Bathing  foot)  Yes,  I  know  it's  cold;  but  it  will  do 
it  good.  (Pause)  Feel  better? 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir. 

GARY.  Good.  What  did  I  tell  you?  Now  let 
Daddy  look.  (Lifting  her  foot  and  examining  it) 
My,  my,  my !  You've  cut  it — right  under  the  second 


60  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

little  piggie.  We'll  have  to  tie  it  up  and  keep  the 
dirt  out.  (Opens  coat  and  begins  tearing  a  strip 
from  his  shirt  for  a  bandage)  By  morning  you'll 
hardly  feel  it. 

VIRGIE.  Wait !  Don't  do  that.  Here !  You  can 
take  a  piece  of  my  petticoat. 

GARY.  (Laughing)  That  petticoat  ?  It  wouldn't 
make  a  bandage  for  Susan  Jemima.  Now !  Up 
with  your  hoofie!  (Begins  to  bandage  foot,  while 
VIRGIE  holds  doll  in  her  arms) 

VIRGIE.     (After  thoughtful  pause)    Daddy 

GARY.    Yes  ? 

VIRGIE.  Do  you  reckon,  by  the  time  the  war  is 
over,  we  could  call  Susan  Jemima  a  vet'ran  ? 

GARY.  I  should  say  we  could !  Hasn't  she  grown 
bald  in  the  service?  We'll  give  her  an  honorable 
discharge — and  decorate  her.  How's  that? 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  fine!  (To  doll)  Do  you  hear, 
Cap'n  Susan?  When  we  get  to  Richmon',  I'm  goin' 
to  make  you  a  uniform.  (Turning  to  GARY)  How 
far  is  it  to  Richmon'  now  ? 

GARY.    Just  about  twelve  miles. 

VIRGIE.    Can  we  get  to  it  to-night? 

GARY.  No,  dear,  not  to-night.  We've  come  ;. 
long  way,  and  we  are  both  tired.  When  it  gets  darl ; 
we'll  curl  up  somewhere  in  the  woods  and  take  a 
snooze.  And  then,  in  the  morning,  we'll  get  up  with 
the  birds  and  the  squirrels — and  move  along.  And 
by  twelve  o'clock,  we'll  be  in  Richmond.  (Finishing 
the  bandage  and  rising)  There  you  are!  And  now 
we'll  have  a  belt  supper. 

VIRGIE.    A  1  •":  supper? 

GARY.  Um-hum.  This  is  the  way  it's  done. 
(Taking  an  old  tin  can  from  beside  spring  and 
dipping  water)  You  take  a  big  drink  of  nice  cold 
water;  then  draw  up  your  belt — and  say  your 
prayers.  (Smiles  down  at  her) 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  61 

VIRGIE.  Ah,  shucks,  daddy !  I  know  a  better  way 
than  that;  Susan  an'  me  used  to  do  it  all  the  time. 

GARY.    All  right.    How  was  it  ? 

VIRGIE.  We — we  jus'  made  believe.  Sit  down 
an'  I'll  show  you  how.  (As  he  takes  seat  opposite, 
setting  can  between  them)  This  rock  is  our  table. 
The  moss  is  the  table  cloth.  (As  he  looks  down  in 
doubt}  It  isn't  green.  It's  white.  (Assuming  the 
airs  of  hostess)  I'm  so  glad  you  dropped  in,  sir — 
an'  jus'  at  supper  time.  Pass  your  plate  an'  allow 
me  to  help  you  to  some  batter  bread. 

GARY.  (Going  through  motions)  Batter-bread! 
Ah !  Just  what  I  was  hoping  for.  Thank  you. 
(Pretending  to  eat)  Delicious!  The  very  best  I've 
tasted  for  a  year.  Did  you  make  it  yourself  ? 

VIRGIE.    Oh,  no  !    The  cook  ! 

GARY.  Ah!  Of  course!  Pray  pardon  me.  I 
might  have  known. 

VIRGIE.  Don't  think  of  it.  Take  plenty  of  butter. 
Batter-bread  isn't  good  without  it. 

GARY.  Thank  you.  (Looks  down  in  pretended 
amazement)  Gracious!  Do  I  see  a  sausage? 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir.  And  there's  the  ham.  Please 
help  yourslf.  (As  he  does  so)  Coffee?  How 
many  lumps? 

GARY.  Five,  please — and  a  little  cream.  There — 
just  right. 

VIRGIE.  (Pretending  to  pass  cup)  I'm  afraid 
you  won't  find  it  very  hot.  That  servant  of  mine 
is  growing  absolutely  worthless. 

GARY.  (Smiling)  Then  perhaps  we  have  some- 
thing better.  (Taking  up  can  of  water)  Permit 
me,  Miss  Gary,  to  offer  you  a  glass  of  fine  old — 
blackberry  wine.  It  has  been  in  my  cellar  since  '38. 
(As  VIRGIE  leans  back  from  him)  Well  ? 

VIRGIE.  (Pathetically)  Oh,  daddy,  don't  let's 
call  it  blackberry  wine. 

GARY.     (Tenderly)     Ah,  forgive  me,  darling.    I 


62  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

didn't  think.  (Kissing  her)  There  now — it's  all 
right.  It's  all  right!  (Looking  behind  him,  speaking 
severely)  You,  Jo !  How  dare  you  bring  such  stuff 
to  my  table?  Go  get  the  port !  (To  VIRGIE)  We'll 
have  to  discharge  that  butler.  Now  then.  (Gal- 
lantly) Will  you  honor  me,  fair  lady,  by  joining  the 
humblest  of  your  admirers — in  a  sip  of  port? 

VIRGIE.  With  pleasure.  (Lifting  can  of  water) 
Your  health,  sir.  May  your  shadow  never  grow 
littler!  (Drinks  water.  Off-stage  at  R.  there  are 
sounds  of  talking  and  laughter,  as  though  a  small 
party  of  men  were  coming  along  the  road) 

GARY.  (With  a  finger  on  lip,  as  VIRGIE  starts  to 
speak)  S-h-h-h!' 

VIRGIE.    Who  are  they,  daddy? 

GARY.  (In  cautious  undertone)  I  don't  know. 
Keep  quiet  till  they  pass. 

(On    road,    entering   from    R.,    appear    CORPORAL 
DUDLEY  and  four  troopers.) 

CORPORAL.  Here's  the  place,  boys;  we  can  get 
some  decent  water.  That  James  River  water's  too 
yellow  for  any  white  man  to  put  inside  of  him. 

CARY.  (From  behind  screen  of  rock,  rising 
cautiously)  Come  along,  Virgie.  We'll  get  out  of 
the  way. 

VIRGIE.    But,  daddy !    We've  got  our  pass. 

CARY.  Yes,  yes,  I  know.  But  that's  for  emer- 
gency. Come  along — quick!  (He  reaches  out  his 
hand  and  they  creep  around  rocks  at  R.  as  CORPORAL 
mounts  the  wall) 

CORPORAL.  You,  Collins !  Take  sentry  duty.  As 
soon  as  we  make  the  coffee,  we'll  bring  you  up  a  cup. 
Over  with  you,  men!  (While  one  man  remains  in 
road,  pacing  up  and  down,  the  others  come  over  wall 
and  advance  toward  spring)  There's  the  spring. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  63 

Smith — under  the  rocks.  Fill  up  the  canteens. 
Here,  Harry;  help  me  to  get  the  fire  wood.  (One 
man  goes  to  spring;  the  second  begins  to  collect 
zvood,  while  a  third  opens  knapsack  and  begins  tak- 
ing out  food.  The  CORPORAL  takes  up  a  dead  branch 
of  a  tree,  draws  his  sabre  and  begins  to  lop  off  the 
small  branches)  I  like  this  better  than  the  camp. 
A  man  and  his  friends  can  have  a  quiet  drink,  with- 
out treating  a  whole  damn  batallion.  (Looking  at 
ground  near  rocks)  Hell-o!  (As  the  men  look  up, 
he  laughs)  Say,  boys — look  at  this!  (He  jabs  his 
sabre  point  into  VIRGIE'S  doll  and  holds  it  up.  The 
others  laugh) 

VIRGIE.  (Off-stage)  Here,  you!  You  stop 
that !  (As  the  men  turn  sharply,  their  hands  on  their 
weapons,  VIRGIE  enters,  angrily)  How  dare  you! 

CORPORAL.  (In  astonishment)  Well,  hang  me 
for  a  thief  if  it  isn't  the  little  girl  we  saw  this  morn- 
ing. Where  did  you  drop  from? 

VIRGIE.  Ne'm  min'  where  I  dropped  from. 
You're  the  meanest  old  thing  I  ever  saw.  Give  me 
back  my  baby! 

(As  CARY  steps  out  from  R.  the  men  turn  and  cover 
him.  As  the  CORPORAL  lozvers  his  sabre  VIRGIE 
seises  her  doll,  holding  it  in  her  arms  and  ex- 
amining it  tenderly.) 

CORPORAL.  Heh!  A  Johnnie  Reb!  (To  man 
who  holds  carbine)  That's  right,  Harry,  keep  him 
covered.  (To  GARY)  Well?  Who  are  you? 

CARY.  A  Confederate  officer — acting  as  escort  for 
this  child.  We  are  on  our  way  to  Richmond. 
(Handing  paper)  Here  is  my  authority  for  enter- 
ing your  lines — a  pass  from  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Morrison. 

(CORPORAL    starts,    looks    at    CARY    fixedly,    takes 
paper  and  turns  away.) 


64  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

HARRY.  (Who  has  an  Irish  accent)  What  does 
it  say,  Corporal  ? 

CORPORAL.  (Reading)  Pass  Virginia  Cary  and 
escort  through  all  Federal  lines,  and  assist  them  as 
far  as  possible  in  reaching  Richmond.  (As  he  turns 
paper  over)  Morrison  on  one  side — and  "  Old 
Bob  "  on  the  other.  (Striking  paper  with  fist)  By 
God,  this  is  a  find! 

HARRY.    A  find?    How  so? 

CORPORAL.  (Leading  him  slightly  apart)  Why, 
don't  you  see,  man  ?  That  was  the  fellow  hiding  in 
the  loft  this  morning.  Morrison  let  him  go  and  gave 
him  this!  (As  HARRY  registers)  It's  my  proof! 

CARY.  (Stepping  forward)  Well?  Isn't  the 
pass  satisfactoay? 

CORPORAL.  Perfectly.  (As  GARY  holds  out  hand) 
Oh,  no  you  don't!  I  have  a  better  use  for  it. 
(Tucks  it  in  his  coat) 

GARY.    What  do  you  mean? 

CORPORAL.    That  you  are  my  prisoner ! 

CARY.    For  what? 

CORPORAL.  As  a  Rebel  spy!  (As  CARY  doubles 
fists)  And  none  of  that — if  you  know  what's  good 
for  you.  If  Colonel  Morrison  wouldn't  take  you, 
/  will!  (Turning  sharply)  Here,  boys,  we'll  have 
to  cut  the  supper  and  go  to  camp.  Bring  that  man 
along !  (Starts  up  hill  to  rear) 

HARRY.  Corporal!  Just  a  minute.  (Leads  him 
aside) 

VIRGIE.  (While  the  men  are  crossing)  Daddy — 
what  are  they  going  to  do  ? 

GARY.  (His  arm  about  her,  while  he  pats  her 
head)  S-h-h-h.  It'll  be  all  right,  honey.  It'll  be 
all  right.  (Closes  his  eyes,  indicating  his  despair) 

HARRY.  (To  CORPORAL,  who  is  at  c.)  Ye'd 
better  be  careful  now.  If  the  pass  is  all  right  ye'll 
get  yourself  in  trouble. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  65 

CORPORAL.  (Harshly}  It  isn't  me  that'll  get  in 
trouble.  It's  someone  else. 

HARRY.     Who  ? 

CORPORAL.    Morrison ! 

HARRY.    The  Colonel?    Why? 

CORPORAL.  Well,  you  know  why!  He  killed  my 
brother,  damn  him !  Shot  him — like  a  dog !  But  now 
I'm  even  !  (Indicating  pass)  I've  been  waiting  for 
a  chance  like  this — and  I'm  going  to  make  him 
sweat !  Sweat  blood  ! 

HARRY.  Don't  be  a  fool,  Corporal!  What'll  ye 
be  after  doin'? 

CORPORAL.  Report  him  at  headquarters — for 
helping  a  spy's  escape.  If  I  have  the  man  and  this 
(Indicating  pass}  it'll  mean  his  sword  and  shoulder 
straps — if  not  a  bullet.  Come  on. 

HARRY.  (Catching  his  arm)  Hold  on!  Hold 
on! 

CORPORAL.     (Jerking  away)    I'm  running  this. 

HARRY.  Yis,  I  know — but  wait!  (Pointing  to 
right  rear)  The  Colonel's  out  yonder  reconnoiterin'. 
If  he  happened  to  overtake  ye  on  the  road 

CORPORAL.  Hell ! — that's  so !  (Looking  off  right, 
then  back  to  HARRY)  Then  you  stay  here  to  guard 
the  prisoner.  I'll  cut  through  the  woods,  make  my 
report  and  come  back  with  the  horses — and 
authority.  (Turning)  Here,  Smith!  You  and 
Judson  come  with  me.  Never  mind  the  grub.  We'll 
get  that  later.  (Starting  up  hill  and  turning  to 
HARRY)  If  you  hear  anyone  coming,  take  those  two 
into  the  woods.  (Mounting  wall)  Collins,  you'll 
have  to  stay  on  sentry  duty  till  I  get  back.  If  any 
troops  pass  here,  get  out  of  sight  and  give  Harry  a 
call.  (Jumping  into  road  and  addressing  the  two 
men)  Now,  boys,  we'll  take  it  at  a  dog  trot ! 

(  They  run  out  along  road  at  L.    HARRY  shoulders  his 


66  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

carbine  and  walks  to  and  fro,  while  COLLINS 
does  the  same  in  road.) 

VIRGIE.  Daddy — are  they  goin'  to — to  take  us  to 
the  Yankee  camp? 

GARY.  (Sitting  on  rock)  I'm  afraid  so,  darling, 
but  I  don't  know.  We'll  have  to  wait.  (Sadly) 
Wait.  (As  HARRY  turns  his  back  for  an  instant  in 
his  pacing,  GARY  takes  up  a  stone  from  the  ground, 
hiding  it  under  his  leg) 

VIRGIE.  (Who  does  not  see  GARY'S  action)  But, 
daddy — while  we  are  waitin'  do  you  reckon — (Eye- 
ing the  knapsack  and  provisions) — do  you  reckon 
we  could  take  jus'  a  little  bit — of  that  ? 

GARY.  (Restraining  her  gently)  No,  dear — not 
now.  No. 

VIRGIE.    Well !    The — the  Yankees  took  our  corn! 

HARRY.  (Noticing  her  eager  look  at  provisions) 
Have  somethin'  to  eat,  little  wan.  Go  ahead.  Take 
all  ye  want. 

GARY.  (Dropping  stone,  rising  and  looking  at 
HARRY  a  moment  before  he  speaks)  Thank  you,  old 
fellow.  I've  no  way — now — of  showing  my — 
gratitude;  but — but  God  bless  you — just  the  same. 
(Sits  on  rock,  his  face  in  his  hands) 

HARRY.  Oh,  that's  all  right,  sir.  I'd  like  to  see 
ye  get  through;  but  I  ain't  the  gineral.  (Smiling) 
At  least,  not  yet.  (Pushing  knapsack  toward  VIRGIE 
with  carbine  barrel)  There  ye  are,  little  girl.  Jist 
help  ye'reself — an'  give  ye  dad  some,  too. 

VIRGIE.  (Kneeling  at  knapsack)  I'm  much 
obliged,  Mr.  Yankee.  We  cert'ny  do  need  it — bad. 
(Looking  up)  What's  your  name,  please? 

HARRY.    It's  Harry  O'Connell.    Yis,  miss. 

VIRGIE.  Thank  you.  I'm  very  glad  to  meet  you. 
(Taking  biscuits  and  running  to  GARY  eagerly) 
Here,  daddy — take  some.  They  are  real. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  67 

GARY.  Thank  you  darling.  Thank  you.  (Takes 
biscuit,  looks  up,  smiles  and  waves  his  hand  to 
HARRY.  HARRY  salutes  and  continues  pacing.  As 
VIRGIE  lifts  the  biscuit  to  her  mouth,  she  pauses, 
listening) 

COLLINS.  (In  road)  Look  out,  O'Connell! 
They  are  coming!  (Climbs  wall  and  crouches  be- 
hind it) 

HARRY.    What  is  it? 

COLLINS.    A  small  detachment. 

HARRY.    Whose  is  it?    Can  ye  see? 

COLLINS.  (Looking  off  right,  while  sounds  of 
Jioofs  are  heard)  Morrison's.  (Dodges  behind  wall 
while  sounds  grr-jj  nearer,  VIRGIE  starts  up,  but 
CARY  restrains  her) 

HARRY.  (Turning  and  advancing)  I'm  sorry, 
sir,  but  I'll  have  to  trouble  ye  to  go  into  the  woods. 
(Rising)  No  argymint,  sor.  I'm  under  orders! 

CARY.  Yes,  yes,  I  know ;  but  I  want  to  speak  to 
Colonel  Morrison.  I  must!  If  you'll  only . 

HARRY.  (Pushing  i  im,  with  carbine  in  both 
hands)  Come  now!  Come  now!  It  won't  do. 
Don't  make  me  use  force,  sor.  Ye'll  have  to  go! 

CARY.  (Turning  away  with  a  sigh)  Come,  Virgie, 
come. 

(They  start  out  at  R.,  as  MORRISON  and  a  detach- 
ment of  about  ticelve  mounted  men  enter  at  R. 
on  road,  chatting  as  they  come.  VIRGIE  sud- 
denly darts  past  HARRY,  running  toward  c.) 

HARRY.  Here,  you!  Come  back!  (Runs  after 
her  and  catches  her  arm) 

VIRGIE.  (Calling  shrilly)  Colonel  Morrison! 
Colonel  Morrison ! 

(HARRY  releases  her.) 


68  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MORRISON.  (To  men)  Halt!  (Turning  in 
saddle)  Hello  there!  Who  is  it? 

VIRGIE.    It's  me !    Virgie ! 

MORRISON.  Well,  what  on  earth — !  (Turning) 
Here,  men !  Wait  for  me !  (Steps  from  saddle  to 
•wall,  jumps  down  and  advances)  Now,  bless  my 
soul  if  it — Why — (Spreads  his  arms  to  take  her  in, 
sees  HARRY,  stops  and  straightens  up)  O'Connell! 
(Sternly)  What's  the  meaning  of  this? 

VIRGIE.    It  isn't  his  fault.    He's  under  orders. 

MORRISON.     (To  HARRY)     Whose? 

HARRY.    Corporal  Dudley,  sor. 

(MORRISON  starts  slightly,  turning  to  GARY  for  con- 
firmation.) 

GARY.  I  presented  your  pass.  He  refused  to 
honor  it.  Left  me  under  guard  and  went  to  camp. 

MORRISON.    (To  HARRY,  sharply)    Which  way? 

HARRY.  Through  the  woods,  sor — makin'  for 
headquarters. 

MORRISON.    How  long  ago  ? 

HARRY.    Five  minutes,  sor. 

MORRISON.  Ah!  (Turning  sharply  to  men  in 
road)  Lieutenant  Harris ! 

HARRIS.    Yes,  sir. 

MORRISON.  Take  a  squad  of  men  and  ride  to 
camp — by  the  wood  road.  Overtake  Corporal 
Dudley,  or  intercept  him  at  headquarters.  Don't 
fail !  Get  him !  Bring  him  in — here ! 

HARRIS.  Yes,  sir.  (Turning  in  saddle)  Jen- 
nings! Hewlett!  Brown!  Hammond!  Burt! 
(Each  man  salutes  as  his  name  is  called)  Ready! 
Advance ! 

(They  move  out  quickly  at  L.  leaving  the  other 
troopers  mounted  in  road.     MORRISON  turns.)  ' 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  69 

MORRISON.  O'Connell!  (As  HARRY  salutes) 
Report  at  my  quarters  this  evening — at  nine.  (Dis- 
misses him  with  a  gesture.  HARRY  salutes  and 
crosses  to  L.  climbing  wall  and  disappearing  at  L. 
MORRISON  watching  him  with  a  frown) 

VIRGIE.  (Calling  after  him)  Good-bye,  Mr. 
Harry.  I'm  much  obliged  to  you. 

GARY.  (Stepping  toward  MORRISON)  Colonel, 
I  hope  no  trouble  will  come  of  this.  If  I  had  known 
your  corporal  was  with  you  this  morning 

MORRISON.  (Checking  him)  Oh,  that  will  be  all 
right.  Harris  will  get  him  I  Did  he  take  your  pass  ? 

(As  GARY  nods  he  turns  away,  clenching  his  hands.) 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir !    He  did ! 

MORRISON.  (Turning  to  her  lightly)  Oh!  Did 
he!  Then  we'll  have  to  write  another  one.  Come 
on,  little  sweetheart.  We'll  do  it  together.  (Takes 
out  note  book  and  pencil) 

GARY.  (Glancing  at  men  in  road)  Morrison! 
You  better  not. 

(MORRISON  lifts  his  hand,  then  seats  himself,  while 
VIRGIE  leans  against  his  shoulder  watching  him 
write.  MORRISON  looks  up  at  GARY.) 

MORRISON.  There's  a  line  of  your  pickets  about 
three  miles  up  the  road.  If  I  loaned  you  a  horse, 
do  you  think  Virgie  could  ride  behind  you  ? 

VIRGIE.  (Stepping  back  in  dignity)  Me? 
Daddy  says  that  when  I  was  bornded,  I  came  in 
ridin'  on  the  stork. 

MORRISON.  (Laughing  as  he  takes  her  hand) 
Then  by  St.  George  and  the  dragon,  we'll  send  you 
home  to  Jefferson  Davis — on  a  snorting  Pegasus  1 
How's  that? 

VIRGIE.    Oh,  fine !    Fine ! 


TO 

GARY.  ( To  MORRISON,  who  writes)  You  needn't 
trouble  about  the  mount.  If  our  lines  are  as  close 
as  you  say  they  are 

MORRISON.  (Checking  him  again)  No — no 
trouble,  only,  you'll  have  to  be  careful  of  your 
approach.  (Smiling  as  he  tears  leaf  from  book) 
Those  gray  devils  in  the  rifle  pits  are  snooting  first, 
and  asking  questions  afterwards.  (Handing  paper) 
There  you  are ! 

GARY.  (His  voice  trembling)  I — I  wish  I  could 
thank  you,  Morrison ;  but — but  you  see 

MORRISON.  Then  don't  try.  (Lightly)  If  you 
do — I'll  hold  Virgie  as  a  prisoner  of  \var.  (Turn~ 
ing  to  her)  Well,  young  one?  Did  you  get  some- 
thing to  eat  ? 

VIRGIE.    Er — almost. 

MORRISON.    Almost? 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir.  Every  time  we  start — some- 
thin'  always  happens. 

MORRISON.  (Patting  her  head)  Well,  well,  that 
is  hard  luck.  But  I'll  bet  you  it  don't  happen  this 
time ;  not  if  it  takes  a  regiment  to  stop  it.  Gome  on. 
(Picking  up  dry  tzvigs)  You  can  start  in  and  munch 
on  something  while  your  uncle  Fuller  builds  the  fire. 
(As  GARY  starts  to  rise  from  rock)  Sit  still,  Gary. 
You  are  worn  out.  Please.  (As  GARY  leans  back 
against  the  wall  of  rock,  MORRISON  hands  coffee 
pot  to  VIRGIE)  Here,  Virgie.  Can  you  get  me  some 
water  from  the  spring? 

VIRGIE.     (Taking  pot)    Yes,  sir. 

MORRISON.  All  right.  Tention,  Carr — ee — coffee 
pot!  Right  wheel!  H'c'h!  (He  laughs  as  VIRGIE 
marches  to  spring,  then  lights  the  fire  which  he  has 
built  between  the  stones)  Powerfully  considerate 
of  my  boys  to  leave  us  all  these  things.  We'll  call 
it  the  raid  of  Black  Gum  Spring.  (As  VIRGIE  brings 
coffeepot)  Ah!  That's  it.  Thank  you.  (Taking 
paper  bag  from  supplies  and  pouring  coffee  into  pot) 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  71 

We'll  make  it  good  and  strong.  (Placing  it  on 
stones  over  fire)  There  we  are !  (As  VIRCIE  leans 
over,  looking  at  it)  Oh!  Oh!  Oh!  Don't  watch 
it.  It'll  never  boil. 

VIRGIE.  (Sitting  by  her  father  and  covering  eyes 
with  her  hands)  All  right.  I'll  jus'  sit  still  an' — an* 
pray  for  it  to  hurry  up. 

MORRISON.  Good !  But  don't  pray  hard  enough 
to  make  it  boil  over.  (Rising,  taking  up  tivo  cups 
without  handles  and  passing  one  to  GARY  with  a 
flask)  Here,  Gary.  Join  me,  won't  you?  (Smil- 
ing) In  case  a  snake  should  bite  us. 

GARY.  (Smiling  as  he  pours  liquid  into  cup) 
Morrison — you  are  a  man  of  ideas!  (Waiting  for 
MORRISON  to  fill,  then  raising  cup)  The  health,  sir 
— of  you  and  yours.  Here's  hoping  I  may  some  day 
take  you  prisoner.  (As  MORRISON  looks  down  in 
slight  surprise,  GARY'S  voice  breaks)  Why,  don't 
you  see?  It's  the  only  way — I  could  ever  hope  to 
show  you — how  much — (Stops  and  covers  his  eyes 
with  his  hand,  while  VIRGIE  reaches  up  to  him) 

MORRISON.  (Tapping  GARY'S  shoulder)  Now 
come,  old  chap.  Brace  up.  It's  the  fortunes  of  war, 
you  know.  One  side  or  the  other  is  bound  to  lose. 
It  may  be  your  turn — to-morrow.  (To  GARY,  looks 
up)  Here  we  go.  (Raising  cup)  May  it  soon  be 
over — in  the  way  that  is  best  and  wisest — for  us  all. 
(They  pause,  looking  at  each  other,  then  drink. 
MORRISON  turns  lightly,  taking  cups)  Now,  Virgie; 
while  I  wash  these  cups,  suppose  you  hunt  through 
that  magic  knapsack  for  some  sugar  for  the  coffee. 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir.     (Goes  to  knapsack) 

MORRISON.  (At  spring)  If  you  find  any  Yankee 
spoons — put  them  under  arrest.  (Turning  his  head) 
Have  any  trouble  on  the  road,  Gary? 

GARY.  None  to  speak  of.  We  were  stopped 
several  times,  of  course ;  but  it  was  all  right  till  we 
got  here.  (Pause.  He  frowns  and  looks  off  L.) 


72  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

And  now  I'm  rather  worried — about  that  pass. 
Your  Corporal  said  he  had  use  for  it.  Has  he  any 
grudge  against  you? 

MORRISON.  (After  pause,  thoughtfully)  Yes — 
I'm  afraid  he  has. 

VIRGIE.  (Rising,  with  paper  bag  in  one  hand  ana 
spoons  in  the  other)  Colonel  Morrison !  Where's 
the  milk  ? 

MORRISON.  The  milk?  Well,  dash  my  buttons, 
if  I  didn't  forget  fo  order  a  cow.  (Saluting)  It 
won't  occur  again,  sir.  (Laughs,  stoops  over  fire 
and  looks  into  coffee  pot) 

VIRGIE.  /  know  what  to  do.  (Turning  to  the 
several  mounted  men  in  road)  Hey,  there !  One  of 
you  men  ride  over  to  camp  and  bring  us  some  milk — 
an'  butter! 

(The  men  and  MORRISON  laugh.) 

GARY.    Virgie !    Virgie ! 

MORRISON.  It's  all  right,  Cary.  She's  starting 
early.  (To  VIRGIE)  Never  mind,  Brigadier.  We'll 
have  the  luxuries  next  time.  For  the  present  we'll 
do  the  best  we  can.  Come  along.  (Stoops  over  fire) 

VIRGIE.    Is  it  ready  yet  ? 

MORRISON.  In  a  minute  now.  Ah!  There  she 
goes!  (Taking  pot  from  fire,  settinng  it  on  rock 
and  pouring  in  a  little  cold  water)  Now  for  a  little 
of  this. 

VIRGIE.    Is  that  to  settle  it  ? 

MORRISON.  Precisely!  The  whole  momentous 
question. 

GARY.    And  then  to  the  attack ! 

MORRISON.  Right-ho!  Pass  the  cups,  Virgie. 
(Pouring)  This  one  for  your  daddy.  You  can  put 
in  the  sugar  for  him.  (Pouring  again)  This  one 
for  you — and  don't  you  burn  those  fingers.  We 
haven't  time  to  even  kiss  them. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  73 

GARY.  (As  VIRGIE  passes  cup  to  him)  Thank 
you,  honey.  (Smiling}  It's  better  than  a  belt  sup- 
per, isn't  it? 

VIRGIE.    Oh,  heaps.    (Turning)    Sugar,  Colonel ? 

MORRISON.  Yes,  General ;  I  would  be  obliged. 
Oh,  oh,  oh!  Not  too  much.  There.  (Stirring 
coffee,  while  VIRGIE  passes  paper  with  biscuits) 
Now  then !  Not  another  word  till  we  make  a  start. 
Fall  to ! 

(For  a  moment  they  eat  in  silence;  then  VIRGIE 
tries  to  speak  with  her  mouth  full.) 

GARY.  (Admonishingly)  Oh!  Virginia!  Vir- 
ginia ! 

MORRISON.  (Laughing)  Suppose  we  swallow — 
and  try  again.  (As  VIRGIE  swallows)  Now! 

VIRGIE.  Excuse  me,  daddy.  It — it  wasn't  very 
polite. 

GARY.  (Reaching  over  and  patting  her)  Apology 
accepted.  Well  ?  What  were  you  going  to  say  ? 

VIRGIE.  I  was  goin'  to  ask  the  Colonel  if  he 
didn't  think  his  men  up  there  would  like  some  of 
this,  too.  (As  MORRISON  and  GARY  look  at  her) 
It  must  be  turrible — jus'  to  look  on. 

MORRISON.  Well,  bless  your  little  heart!  (To 
GARY,  gently)  The  mother  heart,  Gary.  (Leaning 
over  and  putting  an  arm  about  her)  Now  don't  you 
worry  about  the  boys.  They'll  have  theirs  when  they 
get  to  camp.  (Patting  her  head  and  sitting  back) 
Go  on  with  yours.  Here !  Have  another  biscuit. 
And  look,  by  Jupiter !  Butter! 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  heavenly !  Thank  you,  sir.  (Hold- 
ing half  of  buttered  biscuit  to  GARY)  Have  some, 
daddy.  It — it  looks  so  good. 

GARY.  No,  dear;  I  haven't  finished  this.  (As  she 
snuggles  up  to  him)  But  isn't  it  a  thing  to  dream 
about?  When  we  get  to  Richmond  you'll  have  to 


74  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

write  a  letter  to  the  Colonel — a  nice  long  one — and 
thank  him  for  all  he's  done.  Won't  you? 

VIRGIE.  Yes,  sir!  An'  I'll  write  another  one 
to — (She  stops  and  turns  to  MORRISON  who  is  sitting 
in  deep  thought,  his  cup  half  raised)  Colonel  Mor- 
rison! (As  he  turns  to  her  abstractedly)  Do  you 
reckon — that  Gertrude  is  havin'  her  supper  now? 

MORRISON.  (Starting  slightly,  then  swallowing 
before  he  speaks  gently)  Yes,  sweetheart.  I — I 
was  just  thinking  of  her — and  her  mother.  (Sighs 
and  turns  back  to  his  reverie} 

CARY.  (As  VIRGIE  is  about  to  speak  again) 
Ss-s-sh ! 

MORRISON.  (After  slight  pause)  Do  you  know, 
Cary,  this  war  for  us — the  men — may  be  a  hell ;  but 
what  is  it  for  those  we  leave  at  home  ?  The  women ! 
who  wait — and  wait!  (Pause)  We  have  the  ex- 
citement of  it.  The  rush !  Our  battles — no  matter 
if  we  win  or  lose.  We  live — and  know!  (Slight 
pause)  We — the  brothers  of  one  nation  and  one 
land — who  make  our  loved  ones'  lives  a  deeper  hell 
than  ours.  They  watch  and  listen — with  hunger  in 
their  hearts — month  in,  month  out,  and  often  without 
a  word.  They  starve  on  the  crusts  of  hope !  Wait- 
ing— waiting — hunting  the  papers  for  the  thing  they 
dread  to  find :  a  name  ! — among  the  missing !  A 
name  among  the  dead !  (Clenching  his  fist)  Good 
God!  When  I  think  of  it  sometimes — (He  stops, 
resting  his  cheek  on  his  doubled  fist.  CARY  rises, 
steps  to  his  side  and  lays  hand  on  his  shoulder) 

CARY.  Yes,  old  fellow.  Yes,  I  know.  But  for 
you  the  crusts  of  hope  will  some  day  be  the  bread  of 
life — and  love.  (MORRISON  looks  up,  and  the  eyes 
of  the  two  men  meet.  MORRISON'S  hand  starts  out, 
but  he  is  checked  by  a  distant  volley  of  shots  off  R. 
He  springs  to  his  feet)  Hello!  There  go  your 
pickets ! 

VIRGIE.      (Setting   down   coffee   cup   and   bread 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  75 

resignedly)  Didn't  I  know  somethin'  was  goin'  to 
happen  ? 

GARY.  (To  MORRISON  who  is  slightly  up-stage, 
looking  off  R.)  Can  you  see  anything? 

MORRISON.  (As  the  scattering  volleys  continue) 
No.  I  guess  we  came  too  close  to  your  nest — and 
the  hornets  are  coming  out.  (As  sharper  firing  is 
heard,  MORRISON  turns  to  men  in  road)  Turner! 
(As  man  salutes)  Ride  up  to  the  fork  of  the  road. 
Learn  what  you  can — and  report. 

{Man  rides  out  at  R.) 

GARY.  It's  too  near  sundown  for  a  battle.  It  will 
only  be  a  skirmish. 

MORRISON.  (Looking  at  VIRGIE)  Yes,  possibly ; 
but  still 

GARY.    What  is  it? 

MORRISON.  I  can't  send  you  forward  now — in  the 
face  of  that  fire.  (Pointing  to  L.)  And  I  can't  send 
you  to  the  rear.  In  five  minutes  the  road  will  be 
glutted  with  cavalry  and  guns. 

GARY.  It's  all  right,  Morrison.  I  couldn't  go 
now — anyway.  (As  more  shots  are  heard,  and 
sounds  of  hoofs  at  L.) 

MORRISON.     Why? 

GARY.  Because — in  case  of  trouble  for  you  at 
headquarters — I'm  still  your  prisoner.  (Tearing 
up  the  last  pass  given)  You'll  find  me  here! 

MORRISON.    Gary ! 

(GARY  points  to  L.  as  LIEUTENANT  HARRIS  and  other 
horsemen  enter.) 

HARRIS.  (Reining  in  and  calling)  Colonel  Mor- 
rison ! 

MORRISON.  Yes,  Harris.  Did  you  get  Corporal 
Dudley  ? 


76  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

HARRIS.    No,  sir! 

MORRISON.    (Under  his  breath)    Hell ! 

HARRIS.  The  Rebels  are  advancing  in  force.  I 
was  sent  back  to  you  with  orders  to  join  Major 
Foster  at  the  fork — and  hold  the  road.  Two  light 
field  pieces  are  coming  to  your  support.  (Pointing 
to  rear)  Our  main  batteries  are  yonder — in  the 
woods ! 

MORRISON.  Right!  (Running  to  VIRGIE  and  kiss- 
ing her)  Good-bye,  sweetheart.  Hide  under  the 
rocks.  Keep  close !  (Starts  up  hill) 

GARY.  (Holding  out  hand)  Good-bye.  I  can't 
wish  you  luck — but  our  hearts  are  with  you — as  a 
man. 

MORRISON.  (Releasing  hand  and  running  up  hill) 
Thank  you.  It  helps — God  knows !  (Mounts  wall 
and  steps  into  saddle,  giving  sharp  order)  Ready, 
men !  Forward ! 

VIRGIE.  (Calling)  Good-bye,  Colonel!  I  hope 
you  won't  get  hurt ! 

TROOPERS.  (Waving  hands  and  calling  as  they 
rise)  Good-bye,  little  Rebel!  Good-bye!  Good- 
bye! (Exit  at  R.) 

(GARY  stands  looking  off  R.) 

VIRGIE.    Daddy!    Is  it  going  to  be  a — a  battle? 

GARY.  Only  a  little  one.  Don't  you  be  afraid. 
(As  horses'  hoofs  and  a  rumble  are  heard  at  L.)' 
Look !  Here  come  the  field  pieces !  ( Two  pieces 
of  light  artillery  are  driven  along  road  from  L.  to  R. 
They  pass  out)  In  a  minute  now  the  dogs  will  be- 
gin to  bark!  (As  cannon  boom  off-stage)  Ah! 
There  they  go!  Over  yonder  on  the  hill — in  the 
edge  of  the  woods !  Now  listen  for  the  answer ! 
(As  a  boom  sounds  at  R.)  That's  us!  That's  us. 
Hear  'm,  honey  ?  Hear  'em !  ( The  shriek  of  a  shell 
is  heard) 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  77 

VIRGIE.    Lord  A'mercy,  daddy!    What's  that! 

GARY.  Nothing  but  a  shell.  They  sound  worse 
than  they  really  are.  (Distant  volleys  are  heard, 
while  men  pass  along  road,  some  on  horses,  others 
in  foot.  One  detachment  cheers  as  it  passes)  Look, 
Virgie  !  Look !  (Holding  her  up  so  she  can  see  over 
edge  of  rocks)  Back  there — across  the  road!  The 
infantry.  (As  gun-barrels  and  bayonets  are  seen  to 
pass  beyond  the  wall.  GARY  sets  VIRGIE  down) 
There's  an  open  field  ahead  of  them.  By  Jim.  those 
Yanks  will  get  a  mustard  bath!  (As  more  severe 
firing  is  heard)  Aha!  I  told  you  so!  Our  boys 
are  after  them !  Good  work !  Good  work ! 

VIRGIE.  (Clutching  GARY'S  leg,  as  shells  come 
over)  Daddy,  I  don't  like  those  things!  I  don't 
like  'em ! 

GARY.  There,  there,  darling.  They  won't  hurt 
you.  Crouch  down  by  the  rocks!  (As  VIRGIE 
crouches  down,  GARY  looks  over  edge,  while  sounds 
increase;  bugle  notes,  the  roll  of  drums,  musketry 
and  the  boom  of  guns)  Jove !  It's  a  bigger  rumpus 
than  I  thought !  (  Twigs  and  small  branches  of  trees 
begin  to  fall,  as  though  cut  by  bullets)  Close  down, 
honey  !  Close  down !  (As  an  exultant  yell  is  heard 
in  distance)  God!  We're  whipping 'em!  Virgie! 
Virgie,  do  you  hear?  We  are  whipping  'em! 
(Waving  his  hat)  Come  on,  boys!  Come  on! 

VIRGIE.    Daddy !    Will  they  kill  the  Colonel  ? 

GARY.  I  hope  not,  dear.  I  hope  not !  (A  rider- 
less horse  crosses  in  road  from  R.  to  L.  Several  men 
back  in,  ring  and  retreating)  Here  come  the  strag- 
glers! (Turning)  Close,  darling!  Close!  (He 
also  crouches,  It  is  arm  about  her.  A  man  stands  on 
wall,  fires  his  carbine  off  R.  and  is  then  shot.  He 
falls  over  wall  on  his  hands  and  knenes,  rises,  stag- 
gers down  hill,  falls  near  GARY  and  lies  still) 

VIRGIE.  (Peering  around  corner  of  rocks) 
Daddy,  it's  Harry !  Harry ! 


;8  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

GARY.  Don't  look,  dear!  Don't  look!  (GARY 
looks  over  edge  of  rock,  as  more  men  retreat  along 
road,  some  on  horseback,  others  on  foot.  The  two 
field  pieces  come  in  at  R.,  one  going  out  at  L.  while 
the  other  unlimbers  on  rise  at  L.,  is  fired  and  then 
drawn  off,  in  slight  lull  the  wounded  man  is  heard 
to  call) 

HARRY.  (Moving  arm  feebly)  Water!  Water! 
In  God's  name — water ! 

(GARY  is  still  looking  off  rocks.  VIRGIE  takes  can 
from  rock,  runs  out  to  HARRY  and  kneels  beside 
him,  lifting  his  head.) 

GARY.  Virgie!  (He  runs  out  to  her  and  stands 
covering  her  body  with  his  own  while  she  gives 
water) 

HARRY.  May  God  bless  ye,  litttle  one.  Mary — 
(His  head  drops  back.  GARY  lifts  VIRGIE,  taking 
her  back  to  shelter  behind  rocks,  covering  her  eyes 
with  his  hand) 

GARY.  Come,  dear — come.  You  can't  help  him — 
any  more. 

(The  firing  and  retreating  goes  on  in  road,  as  though 
the  Union  forces  were  gradually  being  forced 
back.  Men  on  the  wall  are  shot  and  fall  into 
road.  A  shell  bursts  under  wall,  and  a  section 
of  it  topples  down.  GARY  crouches  lower 
among  the  rocks,  covering  VIRGIE  with  his  body. 
Another  shell  bursts  over  top  of  spring.  There 
is  a  general  retreat  along  road  and  beyond  it. 
Shells  continue  to  go  over,  more  branches  drop, 
and  the  roar  of  the  battle  increases.  Men  enter 
below  wall,  fire  and  retreat.  Off-stage  MOR- 
RISON is  heard  calling.) 

MORRISON.  Keep  to  it,  boys!  One  stand  and 
you've  got  'em!  Give  it  to  'em — hard!  Stand,  I 
tell  you !  Stand !  (Along  road  men  retreat,  firing. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  79 

From  R.  below  road,  a  knot  of  men  back  in,  giving 
way  slowly.  MORRISON  is  with  them,  without  his 
hat,  his  sword  in  his  hand.  At  his  side  is  his  color 
Sergeant.  MORRISON  is  striving  to  keep  his  men 
from  retreating)  Steady,  men!  Don't  flinch!  Can't 
you  see  they're  weakening !  Stick  to  me !  Rally, 
boys  !  Rally !  For  God's  sake,  charge  'em  once ! 
(As  firing  increases,  the  men  retreat,  some  dropping 
their  guns  and  running)  Don't  run,  you  cowards! 
Keep  at  'em !  Give  'em  hell !  (Striking  a  retreat- 
ing man  with  the  flat  of  his  sword)  Go  back,  you 
dog!  Go  back!  (Turning  to  others)  Rally! 
Rally!  Damn  you,  can't  you  fight  like  men!  (As 
firing  at  R.  increases  and  cheers  are  heard,  he  takes 
his  pistol  from  holster  and  flres  it  rapidly  off  R.) 
One  more  stand !  Just  one  !  For  God's  sake,  one ! 
(His  color  sergeant  falls  beside  him.  MORRISON 
stoops  and  takes  up  colors)  Stick  to  your  colors! 
Don't  leave  'em  for  the  Rebs !  (As  men  retreat) 
Come  back !  Come  back  !  (He  backs  tip  on  rising 
ground  at  L.  and  as  Confederates  enter  from 
R.  with  bayonets,  MORRISON  is  left  altnost  alone. 
Some  of  the  Confederates  go  up  hill  to  wall,  while 
four  or  five  go  after  MORRISON  and  his  colors.  With 
his  sword  he  tries  to  defend  himself  againnst  their 
bayonets) 

GARY.  (Who  has  been  crouching  with  VIRGIE) 
Morrison  !  Morrison  !  (A  Confederate  near  spring 
levels  his  musket  at  MORRISON.  CARY  springs  out 
and  knocks  the  gun  upward  so  that  it  is  discharged 
in  the  air.  MORRISON  continues  to  fight  against 
odds.  To  Confederates)  Back,  boys!  Back! 
Don't  kill  that  man  !  Do  you  hear  me?  Back ! 

(As  the  men  continue  to  fight,  CARY  picks  up  sabre 
from  ground,  runs  up  hill  and  tries  to  keep 
men  off.) 


80  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

MORRISON.    Gary ! 

GARY.  (Warding  off  thrusts')  Do  you  hear  me, 
I'm  Gary!  Herbert  Gary — on  the  staff  of  General 
Lee !  Keep  back !  Keep  back ! 

( There  is  a  loud  cheering  at  L.,  a  heavy  fire,  and  the 
Confederates  turn  along  road  and  fire  retreat 
to  R.  A  Union  cavalry  officer  rides  in  at  L. 
heading  a  troop.) 

OFFICER.    CHARGE! 

(They  cross  from  L.  o  R.  A  shell  explodes  in  fork 
of  tree  at  L.  and  a  large  branch  comes  down  on 
stage.  GARY  drops  his  sword  and  sinks  at 
MORRISON'S  feet.  The  Confederates  who  were 
attacking  him  run  out  at  R.) 

VIRGIE.    Daddy !    Daddy !    {Runs  toward  GARY) 
MORRISON.    Go  back,  Virgie !    Go  back.    (As  she 
stumbles  and  falls)     Good  God ! 

( VIRGIE  jumps  up  again  and  runs  to  GARY.) 

VIRGIE.  (Kneeling  beside  GARY)  Oh,  Daddy, 
daddy,  daddy J 

(MORRISON  looks  down  at  them  and  places  arms 
about  VIRGIE.     Cavalry  charge  across  stage.) 

Curtain 


ACT  IV 

No  music  for  rise.    Fire  and  drum  off-stage 
after  curtain  is  up  two  seconds. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  81 

SCENE  :  Headquarters  of  the  Union  army,  one  week 
after  close  of  ACT  III. 

TIME,  morning. 

A  large  square  room  with  high  ceiling,  such 
as  might  have  been  a  parlor  in  an  old  Colonial 
mansion.  Old-time  wall  paper,  several  pictures 
in  oval  frames.  Horse-hair  sofa,  and  several 
chairs  to  match.  At  L.  is  a  mantel.  At  R.  up- 
stage is  a  small  table,  below  it  a  desk,  littered 
with  papers,  files  and  maps.  Open  window  be- 
hind desk.  At  rear,  a  little  to  R.  of  c.  is  a  wide, 
open  window;  beyond  it  may  be  seen  the  tents 
of  the  camping  army.  A  little  L.  of  c.  is  a  wide 
doorway,  giving  on  to  a  hall;  and  throughout 
scene  a  sentry  paces  up  and  down,  passing  and 
repassing. 

DISCOVERED :  ADJUTANT  FORBES,  seated  at 
table,  writing.  Standing  at  rear  window,  with 
his  back  to  audience,  is  the  General.  In  his 
hand  is  a  batch  of  papers  held  together  at  one 
corner,  zvhile  the  smoke  of  a  cigar  curls  up  over 
his  head. 

A  SERGEANT  appears  in  doorway.  Two  guards 
step  out  from  either  side,  barring  entrance  with 
their  crossed  muskets.  The  SERGEANT  speaks 
in  pantomime.  The  muskets  are  lowered  and 
the  SERGEANT  enters,  crossing  to  FORBES  and 
saluting.  He  hands  a  dispatch.  FORBES  reads 
and  signs  it,  passing  it  back  in  silence.  SER- 
GEANT salutes  and  exits.  In  a  moment  an 
ORDERLY  appears,  going  through  same  business 
as  SERGEANT.  He  enters  and  stands,  saluting 
as  FORBES  looks  up. 

ORDERLY.     (Holding  folded  note)     For  General 


82  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

Grant.  Personal.  (The  GENERAL  turns  for  the  first 
time,  a  big  black  cigar  in  his  hand.  He  looks  enquir- 
ingly at  ORDERLY)  From  Lieutenant  Harris,  sir. 
(Advances  and  presents  note,  then  stands  at  atten- 
tion while  GRANT  reads  it  in  silence) 

GRANT.  (With  a  short  nod)  I'll  see  him.  At 
once.  (With  slight  gesture  he  dismisses  orderly 
.  who  exits,  then  turns  back  to  window.  He  stands 
for  a  moment,  then  speaks}  Forbes  !  (FORBES  rises 
from  table,  advances  with  a  light  step  and  takes 
batch  of  papers  which  GRANT  hands  him  without 
turning.  FORBES  places  them  on  desk  and  returns 
to  his  table.  Enter  LIEUTENANT  HARRIS.  He  ad- 
vances briskly,  but  pauses  as  he  sees  the  GENERAL, 
and  stands  as  if  hesitating  to  disturb  him.  Without 
turning)  Well,  Lieutenant?  What  is  it? 

HARRIS.  A  short  conference,  General — on  the 
case  of — Lieutenant  Colonel  Morrison. 

GRANT.  (After  pause,  without  turning)  Re- 
prieve ? 

HARRIS.    No,  General.    A  pardon. 

GRANT.  (Wheeling)  Pardon!  (He  advances 
slowly  to  desk,  his  eyes  on  HARRIS)  Are  you  out  of 
your  mind?  (As  HARRIS  starts  to  speak  the  GteN- 
ERAL  checks  him  with  a  gesture,  then  takes  up  batch 
of  papers  from  desk)  The  man  has  been  given 
every  chance.  Court-martialed — and  found  guilty. 
(Sharply)  And  you — his  counsel — having  failed  to 
prove  him  otherwise — now  come  to  me — for  pardon ! 
(Snaps  fingers)  You  are  wasting  time.  (Half 
turns  away,  turning  over  a  sheaf  of  papers) 

HARRIS.  I  hope  not,  sir.  Neither  yours  nor  mine. 
(As  GRANT  looks  up  quickly  HARRIS  indicates  batch 
of  papers)  You  have  read  the  findings  of  the  court  ? 

GRANT.  Yes.  And  approve  the  sentence.  To- 
morrow— he  will  be  shot. 

HARRIS.     (Quietly)     Unless  you — intervene. 

GRANT.    (Turning  sharply,  and  for  a  moment  fac- 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  83 

ing  HARRIS  silently)  I  ?  (He  smiles,  and  flicks  the 
ash  from  his  cigar)  Harris — you  are  a  young  man 
of  promise.  Don't  cut  that  promise — short! 
(Turns  away) 

HARRIS.  It  is  worth  the  risk.  When  a  man  is 
condemned  to  die 

GRANT.  (Checking  him)  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Morrison  has  failed  in  his  military  duty.  He  re- 
leased a  Rebel  spy!  Provided  him  with  a  pass 
through  the  Federal  lines — and  proved  himself  a 
traitor  to  his  cause.  (Tosses  papers  on  desk) 

HARRIS.  (After  slight  pause)  A  traitor,  Gen- 
eral? Do  you  call  a  man  a  traitor  who  fought  as 
Morrison  did  a  week  ago !  Who  stood  till  his  whole 
command  was  shot  to  pieces !  Then  stood  alone — 
defending  his  colors — in  the  face  of  hell  let  loose ! 

GRANT.  (Turning  and  speaking  slowly,  grimly) 
No  act  of  bravery  can  atone  for  a  soldier's  lapse 
from  duty.  (Sits  at  desk  and  begins  to  write) 

HARRIS.  I  do  not  offer  his  courage  as  a  plea  for 
pardon.  (Smiling)  But  still — I  find  in  Shake- 
speare— and  in  Blackstone — the  suggestion  of  tem- 
pering justice — with  mercy. 

GRANT.  (Looking  up)  Mercy!  (Tossing  his 
pen  aside)  They  call  me  a  war  machine.  I  am! 
And  you — and  all  the  rest — are  parts  of  it.  A  lever 
— a  valve — a  screw — a  wheel !  A  machine,  half 
human — yes !  A  thing  of  muscle  and  bone  and 
blood — but  without  a  heart!  (Rising  to  his  feet) 
A  merciless  machine  ! — whose  wheels  must  turn  and 
turn — till  we  grind  out  this  rebellion — to  the  dust 
of  Peace !  (Slight  pause)  If  a  wheel  once  fails  to 
do  its  work — discard  it! — for  another  and  a  better 
one  (Grimly)  We  want  no  wheels  that  slip  their 
cogs.  (Draws  at  cigar,  puffs  out  smoke  and  turns 
away)  Well?  Is  this  all? 

HARRIS.  No,  General.  (As  GRANT  turns  on  him) 
j\  flaw! — in  your  machine's  control.  (As  GRANT 


84  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

looks  at  him  with  a  frown}  In  a  military  court  we 
have  condemned  a  man  to  death — and  the  facts  have 
not  been  proved! 

GRANT.    What!    How  so? 

HARRIS.  In  times  of  peace,  my  profession  is  that 
of  law.  I  know  my  ground — and  defy  you  to  shake 
it  in  any  civil  court  in  Christendom. 

GRANT.    Your  point !    Get  at  it ! 

HARRIS.  The  evidence  was  purely  circumstantial. 
(As  GRANT  makes  impatient  gesture}  First,  it  is 
alleged  that  my  client  captured  a  Rebel  spy,  one 
Herbert  Gary,  who  was  hiding  in  the  loft  of  a  cabin. 

GRANT.  (With  a  dash  of  sarcasm)  And  to  this 
there  are  only  ten  witnesses. 

HARRIS.  Yes,  General — ten.  And  not  one  of 
them  saw  the  man.  They  believe  he  was  there ;  but 
cannot  swear  it. 

GRANT.    Well?    What  else? 

HARRIS.  Next  it  is  claimed  that  Morrison  re- 
leased this  spy,  and  allowed  him  to  enter  the  Union 
lines — without  regard  to  consequence. 

GRANT.  (Striking  papers  with  the  back  of  his 
hand,  sharply)  And  that  is  proved! — by  several 
officers  who  stopped  your  spy  at  points  along  the 
road.  (Indicating  one  paper)  When  taken,  this 
was  found  upon  his  person !  Not  circumstantial 
evidence,  but  fact!  Signed  by  R.  E.  Lee.  (Turn- 
ing paper  over)  Endorsd  by  Colonel  Morrison. 
(As  HARRIS  laughs  softly)  Do  you  presume  to 
contest  this,  too  ? 

HARRIS.  I  do.  Emphatically!  (Slowly)  No 
pass — was  given  Herbert  Cary — either  by  Colonel 
Morrison  or  General  Lee. 

GRANT.     (In  angry  amazement)     What ! 

HARRIS.  Read  it,  sir — if  you  please.  (As  GRANT 
rads  in  silence,  HARRIS  again  speaks  slowly)  Pass 
Virginia  Cary — and  escort — through  Federal — (As 
GRANT  turns  paper  over)  and  Confederate  lines. 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  85 

(As  GRANT  looks  up}  Virginia  Gary  is  a  non- 
combatant  and  a  baby.  The  escort  may  mean  one 
man — or  a  troop  of  cavalry. 

(GRANT  lowers  paper,  taking  a  thoughtful  turn, 
puffing  at  cigar.    Suddenly  he  stops.) 

GRANT.    And  what  does  Gary  say  ? 

HARRIS.  He  too  is  on  trial — for  his  life.  His 
evidence  was  not  admitted. 

GRANT.    Ah!    Then  what  says  Morrison? 

HARRIS.  Nothing,  sir.  The  burden  of  proof  is 
with  the  prosecution — not  with  him. 

GRANT.  {Regarding  him  with  a  frown)  And 
this  is  your  contention — your  legal  flaw  in  my 
machine  ? 

HARRIS.    It  is. 

GRANT.  H'm!  Then  we'll  call  in  these  silent 
partners  and  dig  for  rock  bottom.  Forbes!  (As 
FORBES  rises  from  table)  Send  for  the  prisoner,  Mr. 
Morrison — and  the  Rebel,  Herbert  Gary.  I  want 
them — here — ^at  once. 

FORBES.    Yes,  sir.    (tarts  up-stage) 

HARRIS.  One  moment,  General.  (As  FORBES 
pauses  involuntarily)  Your  method  is  hardly  just 
to  the  intrests  of  my  client. 

GRANT.  (Drawing  himself  up,  speaking  sternly) 
Lieutenant  Harris !  Are  you  asking  me  to  pardon 
a  guilty  man?  (Slight  pause)  It's  the  truth  we 
want — not  legal  technicalities.  (With  a  gesture  he 
dismisses  FORBES,  who  exits)  Next  you'll  ask  me 
not  to  hang  this  Rebel  spy — because  he  has  a  baby. 
(Turns  to  window  and  stands  with  hands  behind 
him.  Presently  he  speaks,  without  turning)  The 
name  of  the  man  who  preferred  charges — what  is 
it? 

HARRIS.  Corporal  Dudley.  And  there,  General, 
is  another  point — a  vital  one.  In  reporting  his 


86  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

Colonel  Dudley  was  actuated,  not  by  a  spirit  of 
military  duty,  but  personal  revenge. 

GRANT.    Why  ? 

HARRIS.  Morrison  shot  his  brother — a  Sergeant 
in  his  command. 

GRANT.  (Turning  and  coming  toward  desk) 
Again — why  ? 

HARRIS.  For  insubordination —  incendiarism  — - 
and  attempted  desertion. 

GRANT.  H'm.  (Sitting  at  desk)  Any  witnesses 
of  the  Sergeant's  death? 

HARRIS.  Unfortunately,  only  one.  (As  GRANT 
shrugs,  unrolling  map  on  desk,  while  FORBES  enters) 
An  old  negro — now  in  our  camp — answering  to  the 
name  of  William  Lewis. 

GRANT.  Lewis?  (Referring  to  a  spindle  file  on 
desk  and  looking  up)  Is  that  the  old  codger  who 
has  been  haunting  my  entire  staff  for  permission  to 
go  through  our  lines  to  his  home  ? 

HARRIS.    Yes,  General. 

GRANT.  Good !  It's  about  time  we  got  even  with 
him.  Have  him  in !  See  to  it,  Forbes.  (Bends  over 
map  on  his  desk) 

FORBES.    Yes,  sir.     (Goes  up-stage) 

HARRIS.  (To-  FORBES)  You'll  find  him  some 
where  near  the  guard  house.  He's  been  trying  to 
see  Captain  Cary. 

(FORBES  nods,  goes  to  door  and  speaks  with  orderly 
in  pantomime,  then  returns  quietly  to  table. 
GRANT  is  absorbed  in  his  map.  HARRIS  starts 
to  speak,  but  thinks  better  of  it,  and  remains 
silent.  Pause.  Off-stage  a  squad  of  men  are 
heard  marching.) 

OFFICER.  (Off-stage)  H'i'h!  Single— file! 
Forward!  (As  marching  men  appear  passing  doort 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  &J 

escorting  GARY  and  MORRISON)    Halt!    Left  face! 
Order — h'm's ! 

(FORBES,  at  door,  lifts  his  hand.  Enter  MORRISON 
and  GARY,  MORRISON  without  his  sword  and 
shoulder  straps.  The  two  men  pause,  looking  at 
GRANT.  He  pays  no  heed  to  them,  but  continues 
bending  over  map.) 

HARRIS.     (In  low  tone)     'Morning,  Morrison. 

MORRISON.     Good  morning. 

FORBES.  (Indicating  seats  at  L.)  This  way, 
please.  (Places  GARY  a  little  down-stage,  and  re- 
turns to  table.  GARY  and  MORRISON  sit,  watching 
the  GENERAL  in  silence) 

GRANT.  (Looking  up,  speaking  impatiently) 
Well?  Where  is  the  negro?  Bring  him  in.  Bring 
him  in !  Am  I  to  be  kept  waiting  all  day  ? 

FORBES.  One  moment,  General.  Just  a  moment, 
sir.  (Crosses  to  door  as  men  are  again  heard  march- 
ing. Two  privates  appear  with  UNCLE  BILLY  be- 
tween them)  This  way. 

(The  privates  disappear,  while  FORBES  brings  UNCLE 
BILLY  down  to  desk,  where  UNCLE  BILLY 
stands,  his  hat  in  his  hand.  GRANT  has  again 
become  absorbed  with  the  map.) 

BILLY.     (After  pause)    Wan'  see  me,  sun? 

GRANT.  (Looking  up  quickly,  then  regarding 
BILLY  critically)  Your  name? 

BILLY.    Er — William  Lewis,  seh.    Yas,  seh. 

GRANT.    To  whom  do  you  belong? 

BILLY.  (Proudly)  Cap'n  Hubbert  Gary,  seh— 
of  de  Confed'it  army.  Yas,  seh. 

GRANT.  U'm !  (Leaning  back  in  chair  and  re- 
garding BILLY  critically)  I  understand,  my  man, 


88  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

that  freedom  has  been  offered  you — and  you  refused 
it.  Is  this  true  ? 

BILLY.    Yes,  seh. 

GRANT.     Why  ? 

BILLY.  (Fumbling  with  hat)  Well — er — well, 
skuse  me,  Mars'  Gn'l,  but — but  down  dar  whar  I 
lives  at,  de — de  white  gent'men  ornderstands  a 
nigger  bettern'  what  you-all  does.  Yas,  seh. 

GRANT.  (Chewing  end  of  cigar}  I  see.  There 
has  been  some  difference  of  opinion — on  the  point. 
(Slight  pause.  He  points  to  MORRISON)  Do  you 
know  that  man? 

BILLY.  (Turning)  Me?  (His  face  lighting  up 
as  he  sees  MORRISON)  Aw,  yas,  seh.  How  you 
does,  Cun'l.  I  clnr  to — (He  stops  abruptly  as  he 
sees  GARY,  and  speaks  in  a  whisper)  Mars'  Gary ! 
(In  louder  tone  as  he  runs  forward)  Mars'  Gary ! 
(Dropping  on  his  knees  to  GARY  who  has  risen) 
Bless  Gawd,  I  done  fin'  you!  I  done  fin'  you!  I 
done  fin'  you !  (Hides  face  in  GARY'S  coat,  sobbing) 

GRANT.  (Sharply)  Forbes!  Put  a  stop  to  that f 
Bring  him  back ! 

BILLY.  (Reaching  up  to  GARY,  as  FORBES  ad- 
vances) Dey  wouldn'  lemme  git  thu',  seh!  Dey 
wouldn't  lemme  come  home!  (As  FORBES  places 
hand  on  shoulder)  Aw,  Gawd,  Mars'  Gary !  Mars' 
Gary! 

GARY.    (Gently)    There  now,  Billy — don't.    Go — 

go- 

BILLY.  (As  FORBES  and  GARY  help  him  to  his 
feet)  Yas,  seh.  Yas,  seh.  (Looks  lingeringly  at 
GARY,  while  FORBES  leads  him  to  desk,  then  turns  to 
GRANT)  Skuse  me,  Mars'  Gen'l.  (Brushing  eyes 
with  his  knuckles)  I  couldn'  he'p  it,  seh.  I — I 
couldn't  he'p  it.  Dey  wouldn't  eben  lemme  see  him 
in  de  guard  house.  Dey  wouldn't 

FORBES.    S'h ! 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  89 

BILLY.  Skuse  me,  Mars'  Gen'l.  He  all  I  got, 
seh.  He 

GRANT.  That  will  do.  Attend  me — (Slight 
pause}  When  did  you  see — Mr.  Morrison — last? 

BILLY.  Him?  T'was  in  de  Spring,  seh.  Yas, 
seh.  De  time  de  Yankees  bu'nt  us  out. 

GRANT.    Eh  ? 

HARRIS.  The  act  of  incendiarism,  General — on 
the  part  of  Sergeant  Dudley. 

GRANT.  (Nodding)  I  see.  (To  BILLY)  How 
was  it? 

BILLY.  Well,  seh,  t'was  dis  way.  One  mornin' 
de  blue-bellies — skuse  me,  seh,  de  cavTry  gentmen. 
One  mornin'  de  cav'lry  gentlemen  come  ridin'  up, 
lookin'  fer  horses  an'  fodder  an' — an'  Mars  Gary — 
an'  anything  else  whar  was  layin'  roun'.  Yas,  seh. 
(Indicating  MORRISON)  An'  des'  befo'  dis  here 
gent'man  come,  a  low-lived  white  man  took'n  grab 
me  de  th'oat — an'  choke  me,  seh.  Den  he  'suit  Miss 
Hallie. 

GRANT.    Miss  Hallie? 

BILLY.  My  mis'tiss,  seh.  (Again  touching  his 
eyes)  My  mist'iss. 

HARRIS.    The  wife  of  Captain  Gary. 

GRANT.    (Nodding  and  turning  to  BILLY)    Well? 

BILLY.  Den  de  Cun'l  come.  He  juck  him  down 
off'n  de  front  po'ch — an'  put  him  under  'rest.  Yas, 
seh.  An'  Miss  Hallie  she  sho'  was  hoppin'  Gen'l. 
She— 

GRANT.    Never  mind  that.    Go  on  with  the  story. 

BILLY.  Yas,  seh.  Thank'e,  seh.  T'was  des  lek 
I  tell  you,  seh.  An'  arfter  while  orders  come  to  de 
cavTry  gent'men  fer  to  light  out  fr'm  dar  in  a 
hurry.  An'  whils't  dey  was  gittin'  ready,  seh,  an' 
me  an'  de  Cun'l  was  waitin'  roun'  fer  to  proteck  de 
property,  de  fire  bus'  out  de  winders.  (As  GRANT 
looks  up  sharply)  Dat's  right,  Mars'  Gen'l.  Dat's 
right.  Den  de  front  do  flewed  open,  an'  here  come 


90  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

dat  po'  white  rapscallion — wid  de  pine  knot  in  his 
han'  Yas,  seh.  He 

GRANT.  One  moment !  Was  he  running  toward 
his  troop,  or  away  from  it  ? 

BILLY.  'Way  fr'm  it,  seh — t'odes  de  ice  house 
whar  Miss  Hallie  an'  de  chillun  was  at.  Yas,  seh. 

GRANT.    And  Mr.  Morrison  tried  to  stop  him. 

BILLY.    He  mo'n  tried,  seh.    He  done  it. 

GRANT.  (Nodding)  So  I  understand.  What 
did  he  do — or  say? 

BILLY.  He  say — (Lifting  his  head  as  if  trying  to 
recall  words)  He  say — Gawd!  Dudley!  Halt! 
Bing!  (Slight  pause)  Dai's  all,  seh.  He  drap  lek 
a  stuck  pig. 

GRANT.  (Looking  at  desk  in  thought  for  an  in- 
stant, then  lifting  head)  Mr.  Morrison !  (As  MOR- 
RISON rises  and  salutes)  You  did  well.  Your  Ser- 
geant failed  in  his  military  duty — and  deserved  the 
punishment.  I  commend  your  action.  (As  MOR- 
RISON inclines  his  head  and  HARRIS  shows  silent 
elation,  GRANT  speaks  sternly)  The  Federal  powers 
of  administrative  justice — now  occupy  the  same 
position  with  regard  to  your  own  default.  (As 
HARRIS  registers)  The  rules  of  war,  as  applied  to  a 
non-commissioned  officer — must  also  govern  his 
superiors.  As  Sergeant  Dudley  deserved  his  bullet, 
you  merit  yours.  (To  HARRIS,  indicating  BILLY) 
A  bad  witness  for  your  client,  Harris.  You  ought 
to  study  law !  (In  the  silence  which  follows,  GRANT 
lays  cigar  aside  and  lights  a  fresh  one,  then  waves 
his  hand  in  BILLY'S  direction)  Take  him  away. 

FORBES.  Yes,  sir.  (Starts  to  lead  BILLY  out. 
BILLY  turns  toward  GARY)  H'h! 

(BILLY  starts,  then  turns  up-stage.     In  doorway, 
as  two  soldiers  advance,  BILLY  turns.) 

BILLY.  Skuse  me,  Mars'  Gen'l — I — I  don't  need 
dat  ar  pass  home  now.  But  I  much  obliged  to  you 


for  not  givin'  it  to  me.  Yas,  seh.  Thank's,  seh. 
(Bowing  in  doorway}  Good  mornin'!  (Exits. 
HARRIS  returns  to  table) 

GRANT.  Mr.  Morrison !  (As  MORRISON,  who  has 
remained  standing,  salutes)  Your  friend  and  counsel, 
Lieutenant  Harris,  has  applied  to  me  for  pardon. 

MORRISON.     Pardon!     (Turning)     Harris! 

GRANT.  Exactly !  It  comes  from  him — not  you. 
But  still,  as  an  interested  party,  have  you  anything 
to  say  in  your  own  behalf? 

MORRISON.     (After  slight  pause)     Nothing,  sir. 

(The   GENERAL   waves   his   hand   and   MORRISON 
resumes  seat.) 

GRANT.  Captain  Gary  (As  GARY  starts  to  rise) 
Keep  your  seat,  sir.  You  are  wounded.  (As  GARY 
resumes  seat,  GRANT  refers  to  another  pile  of  papers 
on  his  desk,  then  looks  up)  Is  it  true — as  I  learn 
from  this  paper — that  during  a  skirmish  a  week 
ago — you  helped  to  defend  the  Union  colors — and 
against  your  own  people? 

GARY.  (Springing  up,  speaking  with  pride  and  a 
dash  of  anger)  I?  No,  sir!  (Slight  pause)  I 
defended  the  man — not  the  soldier — or  his  flag ! 

GRANT.  (Leaning  back  in  chair  and  puffing 
smoke)  You  draw  a  rather  fine  distinction,  Cap- 
tain. You  saved  the  colors — but  you  failed  to  save 
the  man !  You  had  better  let  him  die — as  an  honor- 
able soldier.  (Pause.  GARY  looks  at  MORRISON  in 
pity)  You  were  actuated — by  a  debt  of  gratitude? 

GARY.  A  greater  one  than  I  can  ever  hope  to  pay. 
(As  GRANT  leans  forward)  His  mercy — to  my  little 
girl. 

GRANT.  (Rising  and  pointing  at  him)  And  the 
pass  he  gave — to  you ! 

GARY.    To  her! 

GRANT.      (Smiling)      Another    fine    distinction, 


92  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

Captain.  (Resuming  seat,  knocking  ashes  from 
cigar  and  looking  up)  Did  you  ever  penetrate  the 
Federal  lines — by  means  of  a  uniform — of  blue? 

GARY.    As  to  that,  General  Grant,  there  is 

GRANT.    Answer !    Yes,  or  no ! 

HARRIS.    One  moment,  General.    If 

GRANT.  No  interference,  Harris!  (To  GARY) 
Yes — or  no? 

GARY.  (Glancinng  at  MORRISON,  then  back  to 
GRANT)  Under  the  rulings  of  court-martial  law,  I 
deny  even  your  right — to  the  question. 

GRANT.  (Regarding  him  a  moment  in  silence) 
That's  all,  sir.  Thank  you.  (As  GARY  resumes 
seat)  Mr.  Morrison!  (As  MORRISON  rises)  As 
a  military  servant  of  the  Government,  you  were 
ordered  to  pursue  this  man — and  take  him — dead  or 
alive.  (As  MORRISON  inclines  his  head)  In  this 
you  failed. 

MORRISON.    In  part— ^1  failed. 

GRANT.  (Pointing  and  shaking  finnger)  And 
knowing  he  was  a  spy ! 

MORRISON.  Not  to  my  personal  knowledge,  sir. 
(As  GRANT  leans  forward)  I  hunted  him  many 
times ;  but  never  while  he  wore  a  Federal  uniform. 

GRANT.  And  when  you  captured  him  ?  (As  MOR- 
RISON ^vaves  hand,  indicating  GARY'S  present  dress) 
Ah!  Then  you  did  capture  him? 

MORRISON.    Yes. 

GRANT.  (Glancing  at  HARRIS  with  a  smile,  and 
taking  up  papers)  And  he  was  the  escort — men- 
tioned in  your  pass ! 

MORRISON.     (With  slight  hesitation)     Yes. 

GRANT.  H'm!  (Rising  and  turning)  I'm  afraid, 
my  dear  Harris,  that  in  spite  of  legal  technicalities, 
the  findings  of  our  court  were  not  far  wrong. 
(Dropping  papers  on  desk,  and  turning  sternly  to 
MORRISON)  Captain  Gary  practically  admits  his 
guilt!  You  were  aware  of  it!  And  yet  you  send 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  93 

him  through  the  very  center  of  our  lines  !  A  pass ! 
— carte-blanche  to  learn  the  disposition  of  our  force 
— our  weakness  and  our  strength — and  to  make  his 
report  at  Richmond !  An  enemy ! — with  a  price  on 
his  head!  You  trusted  him!  A  spy! 

MORRISON.  I  trusted  Herbert  Gary !  (As  GRANT 
turns  away,  snapping  his  fingers  in  contempt,  MOR- 
RISON moves  toward  him)  General !  I  have  offered 
no  defense.  If  the  justice  of  court-martial  law 
prescribes  a  firing  squad — I  find  no  fault.  I  failed ! 
I  pay!  (Indicating  GARY)  I  took  this  man — 
hunted — wounded — fighting  to  reach  the  side  of  a 
hungry  child.  And  even  then — by  the  rules  of  war 
• — I  would  have  had  him  shot ;  but  he  asked  me  to 
get  his  little  girl  to  Richmond — and  not  to  let  her 
know  about  him.  (Slight  pause)  And  she  believed 
in  me!  Trusted  me — as  I  trusted  Herbert  Gary  to 
pierce  the  very  center  of  your  lines — as  a  father — 
not  a  spy ! 

GRANT.  (His  back  still  turned)  And  it  cost 
you  your  sword your  life. 

MORRISON.  And  I  have  no  regret.  In  the  duty 
of  a  military  servant — -I  have  failed.  (Indicating 
GARY)  My  prisoner  still  lives !  As  a  man,  I  could 
not  accept  the  confidence  of  his  child — the  trust  of* 
innocence — a  baby's  kiss — with  the  blood  of  her 
father  on  my  hands  (Turns  away) 

GRANT.  (Turning  slowly)  A  very  pretty  senti- 
ment. But  you  seem  to  forget  we  are  making  war 
— not  love. 

MORRISON.  (Wheeling)  Yes,  war! — and  the 
hellish  laws  that  govern  it !  But  there  is  still  another 
law — Humanity!  Through  a  trooper  in  my  corn- 
many  the  home  of  an  enemy  was  burned  to  ashes — 
his  loved-ones  flung  out  to  starve!  When  a  help- 
less tot  had  lost  its  mother,  and  a  father  would 
protect  it,  then  war  demands  that  I  smash  a  baby's 
one  last  hope — in  the  name  of  the  stars  and  stripes ! 


94  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

To  march  back  home,  to  a  happy,  triumphant  North 
— and  meet  my  baby — with  the  memory  of  a  butcher 
in  my  heart.  By  God,  sir,  I'd  rather  hang! 

(For  a  moment  GRANT  and  MORRISON  face  each 
other  silently;  then  the  GENERAL  begins  to  pace 
slowly  in  thought,  his  .hands  bhind  him.  He 
stops  at  corner  of  desk.) 

GRANT.      Lieutenant     Harris 1     was     right. 

You've  wasted  your  time — and  mine.  (Sits  at  desk) 
Forbes !  (As  FORBES  rises,  GRANT  makes  gesture 
toivard  door}  The  Guard  !  (As  GRANT  bends  over 
map  before  him.  FORBES  starts  toward  door,  but 
pauses  an  instant,  looking  at  GRANT.  Just  as  he 
starts  forward  again,  the  shrill  scream  of  a  child  is 
heard  off  stage.  MORRISON  and  GARY  register. 
The  muskets  of  the  tzvo  sentries  cross  at  door;  but 
VIRGIE  dodges  under  them,  entering  flushed  and 
panting.  She  runs  to  desk,  facing  the  GENERAL  zvho 
rises  in  astonishment} 

VIRGIE.  You  shan't  shoot  Colonel  Morrison!  I 
won't  let  you  You  shan't!  You  shan't!  You 
shan't ! 

*  GRANT.  (To  ORDERLY  who  enters,  following 
VIRGIE)  Take  that  child  out  of  here! 

VIRGIE.    I  won't  go ! 

GRANT.  (Sharply)  Orderly!  (Points  to  VIRGIE. 
As  ORDERLY  advances,  VIRGIE  eludes  him  and  runs 
o  her  father,  throwing  her  arms  about  him,  sobbing) 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  daddy,  daddy,  you  won't  let  him 
shoot  the  Colonel.  Daddy,  you  won't !  You  won't ! 
(Sobs  passionately.  The  ORDERLY  hesitates,  GRANT 
points  to  VIRGIE,  and  ORDERLY  advances') 

GARY.  (Lifting  hand)  General — please.  She'll 
go.  (To  VIRGIE)  Virgie!  Virgie!  (As  she  con- 
tinues to  sob,  he  shakes  her  shoulders  gently) 
Listen,  honey — listen!  Remember — General  LeeJ 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  95 

(As  VIRGIE  looks  up  trying  -vainly  to  check  her  sobs) 
He  wouldn't  want  you  to  cry  like  this.  He  said — 
"  She's  a  brave  little  Rebel  to  stay  there  all  alone. 
Dixie  and  I  are  proud  of  her.  (As  VIRGIE 
straightens  up,  brushing  her  eyes)  Now  go,  dear — 
go.  (Kisses  her.  VIRGIE  looks  into  his  eyes,  then 
turns  without  a  word  and  starts  for  door  slowly. 
She  pauses  to  scowl  at  GENERAL  GRANT,  and  once 
more  moves  up-stag e) 

GRANT.  Wait!  (Turning)  Harris — they  say 
that  fools  and  children  speak  the  truth.  (Slight 
pause)  Come  here,  little  girl.  ( VIRGIE,  still  chok- 
ing down  her  tears,  turns  and  advances.  When  she 
reaches  the  desk,  she  straightens  her  body  and  makes 
military  salute.  GRANT,  with  his  chin  on  his  fist, 
regarding  her  intently)  The  Littlest  Rebel,  eh? 
(Slight  pause)  How  old  are  you? 

VIRGIE.  (Swallowing  a  sob)  Seven.  Coin'  on 
eight. 

GRANT.  Do  you  know  the  uniform  of  a  Union 
officer — when  you  see  it. 

VIRGIE.  A  Yankee  ?  Well,  I  reckon  I  ought  to — • 
by  this  time. 

GRANT.  Very  good  !  (Looking  at  ceiling,  puffing 
smoke,  then  to  VIRGIE)  When  you  lived  at  home — 
and  afterwards  in  the  cabin — did  your  father  come 
to  see  you  often? 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir. 

GRANT.    How  often? 

VIRGIE.  I — I  don't  know,  sir.  Er — heaps  of 
times. 

GRANT.  Good  again!  When  your  father  came, 
did  he  ever  wear  clothes  that — that  were  not  his 
own? 

VIRGIE.  ( With  a  quick  glance  at  GARY,  then  back 
to  GRANT,  hesitating)  Well — well,  lots  of  our  men 
don't  have  hardly  any  do's. 

GRANT.    That  is  not  what  I  mean.    Did  he 


$6  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

wear  a  coat  of  blue? — a  Yankee  uniform!     (As 

VIRGIE  hesitates,  shifting  her  eyes)     Answer  ray 

question ! 

HARRIS.     (As  VIRGIE  still  h esitates)     General  I—- 
GRANT.     {Frowning)      Harris!      (To    VIRGIE) 

Well? 

(VIRGIE  still  hesitates,  twisting  her  hands,  her  lip 
quivering.    She  turns  to  GARY.) 

VIRGIE.  Oh,  daddy,  daddy!  What  must  I  tell 
him? 

GARY.  The  truth,  Virgie.  Whatever  the  General 
asks. 

GRANT.  (Glancing  at  GARY,  then  back  to  VIRGIE) 
Did  he? 

VIRGIE.  (Swallowing  and  cinching  her  hands) 
Yes,  sir. 

GRANT.  (Nodding  grimly)  So  you  even  know, 
what  it  means!  A  spy! 

VIRGIE.     (Dropping  her  eyes)    Yes,  sir. 

GRANT.  Do  you  remember  how  many  times  he 
came  that  way? 

VIRGIE.    (Looking  up)    Yes,  sir.    Once. 

GRANT.     Once?    Are  you  sure? 

VIRGIE.    Yes,  sir. 

GRANT.  (Sternly)  Think !  And  remember 
what  your  father  said  just  now — (Slight  pause)  and 
tell  the  truth.  When  was  it  ? 

VIRGIE.  When — it  was  when— daddy  came 
through  the  woods — an' — an'  put  my  mamma — in 
the  ground. 

(For  a  moment  there  is  a  dead  silence,  no  one  mak- 
ing the  slightest  movement;  then  GRANT  turns 
his  head  slowly  to  GARY.) 

GRANT.  Captain  Gary.  (As  GARY  rises)  Is  this 
true? 


THE  LITTLEST  REBEL  97 

GARY.  Yes,  General.  I  went  to  your  nearest 
post — with  a  flag  of  truce — and  asked  permission. 
I  was  refused.  I  went  without  permission. 

GRANT.  (Rising,  his  eyes  still  on  GARY,  speaking 
sternly)  And  you  give  me  your  word,  as  a  soldier 
and  gentleman,  that  once,  once  only,  you  wore  a 
Federal  uniform — and  because  of  the  burial  of  your 
wife? 

GARY.  I  do.  (Taking  the  GENERAL'S  tone) 
T'was  the  only  cause  in  heaven  or  hell — that  could 
have  induced  me  to  wear  it! 

{For  a  moment  GRANT  looks  at  him  fixedly,  turns 
and  goes  up-stage  to  window;  standing  with  his 
hands  behind  him.  He  tosses  cigar  out  of 
window,  takes  out  a  fresh  one  and  comes  slowly 
down,  sniffing  at  it,  and  looking  from  one  to 
the  other  of  the  characters.) 

HARRIS.  Pardon  me,  General ;  but  since  Captain 
Gary  is  not  a  spy,  and  never  was — at  least  not 
morally • 

GRANT.  (Sharply)  That  will  do,  Harris! 
(Pause.  He  turns)  Lieutenant  Colonel  Morrison! 
(As  MORRISON  rises  in  astonishment)  Go  back  to 
your  command,  sir. 

MORRISON.    General ! 

GRANT.  (Checking  his  gratitude)  And  the  next 
time  you  are  forced  to  decide  between  military  duty 
and  humanity — think  twice !  (He  turns  to  desk. 
GARY  stretches  his  hand  toward  MORRISON,  but  does 
not  move  up  to  him.  GRANT  tears  a  paper  from  the 
batch  on  his  desk,  and  turns)  Captain  Gary — I 
sincerely  regret — that  I  cannot  honor  the  pass  as 
given  you  by  Colonel  Morrison.  (Turning  paper 
over)  But  I  do  honor  the  pass — of  your  General — 
R.  E.  Lee.  (He  folds  paper  and  hands  it,  stopping 
GARY  who  tries  to  speak,  and  turns  away.  He  is 
about  to  move  up-stage,  when  he  is  stopped  by 


98  THE  LITTLEST  REBEL 

VIRGIE  who  puts  her  arms  around  his  waist  and 
looks  up  at  him.  GRANT  looking  down  and  shaking 
his  unlighted  cigar  her}  And  as  for  you,  young 
lady ;  the  next  time  you  pervert  my  fficers  and  upset 
the  discipline  of  the  Federal  Army — well,  I  don't 
know  what  I'll  do  with  you.  {Pause)  That's  all. 
Now  run  away.  (As  she  still  holds  him  tightly, 
looking  up  into  his  face)  Oh,  well  I  suppose  I've 
got  to  do  it.  (Stoops,  kisses  her,  pats  her  head,  and 
goes  quickly  up-stage.  The  other  characters  stand 
at  salute) 

VIRGIE.  (Calling)  Thank  you,  Gen'ral !  Thank 
you,  sir!  You're  another  mighty  good  damn 
Yankee ! 

(The  GENERAL  turns,  smiles  and  exits.    VIRGIE  is 
at  c.,  MORRISON  at  R.  and  GARY  at  L.) 

MORRISON.      (Stretching   his  arms   to   VIRGIE) 
Virgie  ! 
GARY.     (Stretching  arms)     Honey! 

(ViRGiE  looks  from  one  to  the  other,  hesitating. 
Both  run  to  hert  kneel,  and  with  their  backs  to 
audience,  bow  their  heads  on  her  shoulders, 
their  arms  about  her.  HARRIS  and  FORBES  turn 
their  backs.) 

Curtain 


DADDY  LONG-LEGS 

A  charming  comedy  in  4  acts.  By  Jean  "Webster.  The 
full  cast  calls  for  6  males,  7  females  and  6  orphans,  but 
the  play,  by  the  easy  doubling  of  some  of  the  characters, 
may  be  played  by  4  males,  4  females  and  3  orphans. 
The  orphans  appear  only  in  the  first  act  and  may  be  played 
by  small  girls  of  any  age.  Four  easy  interior  scenes. 
Costumes  modern.  Plays  2%  hours. 

Many  readers  of  current  fiction  will  recall  Jean  Webster's 
"Daddy  I>ong-Legs."  Miss  Webster  dramatized  her  story  and  it 
was  presetted  at  the  Gaiety  Theatre  in  New  York,  tinder  Henry 
Miller's  direction,  with  Ruth  Chatterton  in  the  principal  r61e. 
"Daddy  Long-Legs"  tells  the  story  of  Judy,  a  pretty  little 
drudge  in  a  bleak  New  England  orphanage.  One  day,  a  visiting: 
trustee  becomes  interested  in  Judy  and  decides  to  give  her  a 
chance.  She  does  not  know  the  name  of  her  benefactor,  but 
simply  calls  him  Daddy  Long-Legs,  and  writes  him  letters  brim- 
ming over  with  fun  and  affection.  From  the  Foundling's  Home 
Bhe  goes  to  a  fashionable  college  for  girls  and  there  develops  the 
romance  that  constitutes  much  of  the  play's  charm.  The  New 
York  Times  reviewer,  on  the  morning  after  the  Broadway  pro- 
duction, wrote  the  following:  "If  you  will  take  your  pencil  and 
•write  down,  one  below  the  other,  the  words  delightful,  charming, 
sweet,  beautiful  and  entertaining,  and  then  draw  a  line  and  add 
them  up,  the  answer  will  be  'Daddy  Long-Legs.'  To  that  result 
you  might  even  add  brilliant,  pathetic  and  humorous,  but  the 
answer  even  then  would  be  just  what  it  was  before — the  play 
which  Miss  Jean  Webster  has  made  from  her  book,  'Daddy  Long- 
Legs,'  and  which  was  presented  at  the  Gaiety  last  night.  To 
attempt  to  describe  the  simplicity  and  beauty  of  'Daddy  Long- 
Legs'  would  be  like  attempting  to  describe  the  first  breath  of 
Spring  after  an  exceedingly  tiresome  and  hard  Winter."  "Daddy 
Long-Legs"  enjoyed  a  two-years'  run  in  New  York,  and  was  then 
toured  for  over  three  years.  It  is  now  published  in  play  form  for 
tne  first  time.  (Royalty,  twenty-five  dollars.)  Price,  75  Cents, 

THE  FAMOUS   MRS.   FAIR 

A  comedy  in  4  acts.  By  James  Forbes.  3  males,  10 
females.  2  interiors.  Modern  costumes.  Plays  a  full 
evening. 

An  absorbing  play  of  modern  American  family  life.  "The 
Famous  Mrs.  Fair"  is  concerned  with  a  strenuous  lady  who 
returns  from  overseas  to  lecture,  and  consequently  neglects  her 
daughter,  who  is  just  saved  in  time  from  disaster.  Acted  with 
great  success  by  Blanche  Bates  and  Henry  Miller.  (Royalty, 
twenty-five  dollars.)  Price,  75  Cents, 

SAMUEL  FRENCH,  25  West  45th  Street,  New  York  City 
Our  New  Catalogue  Will  Be  Sent  on  Receipt  of  Five  Cents 


POLLYANNA 

"The  glad  play,"  in  3  acts.  By  Catherine  Chisholm 
Gushing.  Baaed  on  the  novel  by  Eleanor  H.  Porter.  5 
males,  6  females.  2  interiors.  ,  Costumes,  modern.  Plays 
2%  hours.  i 

The  story  has  to  do  with  the  experiences  of  an  orphan  girl 
who  is  thrust,  unwelcome,  into  the  home  of  a  maiden  aunt.  In 
spite  of  the  tribulations  that  beset  her  life  she  manages  to  find 
something  to  be  glad  about,  and  brings  light  into  sunless  lives. 
Finally,  Pollyanna  straightens  out  the  love  affairs  of  her  elders, 
and  last,  but  not  least,  finds  happiness  for  herself  in  the  heart 
of  Jimmy.  "Pollyanna"  is  a  glad  play  and  one  which  is  bound 
to  give  one  a  better  appreciation  of  people  and  the  world.  It 
reflects  the  humor,  tenderness  and  humanity  that  gave  the  story 
such  wonderful  popularity  among  young  and  old. 

Produced  at  the  Hudson  Theatre,  New  York,  and  for  two  sea- 
sons on  tour,  by  George  C.  Tyler,  with.  Helen  Hayes  in  the  part 
of  "Pollyanna."  (Royalty,  twenty-five  dollars.)  Price,  75  Cents. 


THE  CHARM  SCHOOL 

A  comedy  in  3  acts.  By  Alice  Duer  Miller  and  Robert 
Milton.  6  males,  10  females  (may  be  played  by  5  males 
and  8  females).  Any  number  of  school  girls  may  be  used 
in  the  ensembles.  Scenes,  2  interiors.  Modern  costumes. 
Plays  2%  hours. 

The  story  of  "The  Charm  School"  is  familiar  to  Mri.  Miller'a 
readers.  It  relates  the  adventures  of  a  handsome  young  auto* 
mobile  salesman,  scarcely  out  of  his  'teens,  who,  upon  inheriting 
a  girls'  boarding-school  from  a  maiden  aunt,  insists  on  running  it 
himself,  according  to  his  own  ideas,  chief  of  which  is,  by  the 
•way,  that  the  dominant  feature  in  the  education  of  the  young 
girls  of  to-day  should  be  CHARM.  The  situations  that  arise  are 
teeming  with  humor — clean,  wholesome  humor.  In  the  end  the 
young  man  gives  up  the  school,  and  promises  to  wait  until  the 
most  precocious  of  his  pupils  reaches  a  marriageable  age.  The 
play  has  the  freshness  of  youth,  the  inspiration  of  an  extravagant 
bat  novel  idea,  the  charm  of  originality,  and  the  promise  of  whole- 
some, sanely  amusing,  pleasant  entertainment.  We  strongly  rec- 
ommend it  for  high  school  production.  It  was  first  produced  at 
the  Bijou  Theatre,  New  York,  then  toured  the  country.  Two 
companies  are  now  playing  it  in  England.  (Royalty,  twenty-five 
dollars.)  PriM,  75  Cents. 


SAMUEL  FRENCH.  25  W«M  45th  Street,  New  Yotk  City 
OK  New  Catalogue  Will  Be  Sent  on  Receipt  of  Five  Cents 


_          A     OOP  126  538     8 

ARE  YOU  A  MASON] 


Fare*  in  3   aeti.    By  L*o  Ditrichiteia.     7  males,  7 
males.    Modern  coitumw.    Plays  2%  hours.     1  interior. 

"Are  Tern  a  Ma*ont"  it  one  of  those  delightful  i*re«s  like 
"Charley '•  Aunt"  that  »re  always  freah.  "A  mother  sad  a 
daughter,"  *ay*  the  critie  of  the  New  Terk  Htrtld,  "had  hue- 
band*  who  a««ennt  fer  absence*  from  the  joint  heuseheld  on 
frequent  evcmings,  falsely  pretending  to  be  Mas*ns.  The  men 
do  not  knew  each  ether 'a  duplicity,  and  eaeh  tell*  his  wife  ot 
having  advanced  to  leadenhip  in  hi*  lodge.  The  older  woman 
was  *o  well  pleased  with  her  husband's  cuppesed  distinction  in 
the  order  that  she  made  him  promise  to  put  up  the  same  of  a 
visiting  friend  fer  membership.  Further  perplexity  over  the 
principal  liar  arose  when  a  Baiter  fer  his  second  daughter'*  hand 
proved  to  be  a  real  Mason.  ...  To  tell  the  story  of  the  play 
would  require  volumes,  its  complications  are  so  numerous.  It  ia 
a  house  of  eards.  One  card  wrongly  placed  and  the  whole  thine 
would  collapse.  Bmt  it  stands,  an  example  of  remarkable  in* 
genuity.  Yon  wonder  at  the  end  of  the  first  act  how  the  fun 
can  be  kept  np  on  such  a  slender  foundation.  But  it  continue* 
and  grows  to  the  last  curtain."  One  of  the  raest  hilariously 
amusing  farce*  ever  written,  especially  suited  to  schools  and, 
Uaaonie  Lodge*.  (Royalty,  twenty-five  dollar*.)  Price,  75  Cento, 


KEMPY 

rA  delightful  comedy  in  3  act*.  By  J.  C.  Nugent  and 
Elliott  Nugent.  4  males,  4  females.  1  interior  throughout. 
Costumes,  modern.  Plays  2%  hours. 

No  wonder  "Kemvy"  ha*  been  such  a  tremendous  hit  in  New 
York,  Chicago — wherever  it  ha*  played.  It  *nap*  with  wit  and 
humor  of  the  most  delightful  kind.  It's  electric.  It'*  small- 
town folk  perfectly  pictured.  Full  of  types  of  varied  sorts,  each 
one  done  to  a  turn  and  served  with  zestful  sauce.  An  ideal 
entertainment  fer  amusement  purposes.  The  story  is  about  a  high- 
falutin*  daughter  who  in  a  fit  of  pique  marries  the  young  plumber* 
architect,  who  come*  to  fix  the  water  pipe*,  just  because  ho 
"understands"  her,  having  read  her  book  and  having  sworn  to 
marry  the  authoress.  But  in  that  story  lie*  all  the  humor  that 
kept  the  audience  laughing  every  second  of  every  act.  Of  course 
there  are  lot*  of  ramification*,  each  of  which  bear*  it*  own  brand 
Of  laughter-making  potential*.  But  the  plot  and  the  story  are 
not  the  main  thing*.  There  ii,  for  initance,  the  work  of  the 
company.  The  fun  growing  out  of  thi*  family  mixup  is  lively  and 
clean.  (Royalty,  twenty-five  dollar*.)  Price,  75  Cent*. 

SAMUEL  FRENCH,  23  We«t  45th  Street,  New  York  City 
'       Out  New  Catalogue  Will  Be  Sent  on  Receipt  of  Five  Cent* 


Standard  Library  Edition 


George  M.  Cohan 

Augustus    Thomas 

Winchcll  Smith 

William   Gillette 

Frank  Craven 

Owen  Davis 

Austin  Strong 

A.  A.  Milne 

Harriet    Ford 

Paul  Green 

James   Montgomery 

Edward   Childs   Carp«n*M 

Arthur    Richman 

Philip    Barry 

George  Middleton 

Charming  Pollock 

George  Kaufman 

Martin  Flavin 

Victor   Mapes 

Kate  Douglas  Wiggin 

Rida  Johnson  Young 

Margaret    Mayo 

Roi  Cooper  Megru* 

Jean  Webster 

George    Broadhurst 

George  Hobart 

Frederick  S.   Isham 

Madeline  Lucette 

Fred   Ballard 

Percy  MacKaye 

Willard   Mack 

Jerome   K.   Jerome 

R.  C.  Carton 

Mark    Swan 

Rachel    Crothers 

W.  W.  Jacobs 

Ernest  Denny 

Kenyon  Nicholson 

Aaron  Hoffman 

H.  V.  Esmond 

Edgar    Selwyn 

Laurence  Housman 

Israel  Zangwill 

Walter  Hackett 

A.  E.  Thomas 

Edna  Ferber 

{ustin  Huntley  McCarthy 
ohn    Henry    Mear* 
John  B.  Stapleton 
Frederick  Lonsdal* 
Bryon  Ongley 
Rex  Beach 


Includes  Plays  by 

George  Kelly 

Booth    Tar  king  ton 

George  Ade 

J.  C.  and  Elliott  Nuf«M 

J.  Hartley  Manners 

Barry  Conners 

Edith  Ellis 

Harold    Brighouse 

Harvey    J.    O'HiggUM 

Clare  Kummer 

James  Forbes 

William  C.  DeMitl* 

Louis   N.    Parker 

Anthony   Hope 

Lewis    Beach 

Guy  Bolton 

Edward  E.  Rose 

Marc    Connelly 

Frederick  Paulding 

Lynn  Starling 

Josephine  Preston  Peabody 

Catherine   Chisholm   ^itthm 

Clyde    Fitch 

Earl  Derr  Bigger* 

Thomas   Broadhurst 

Charles  Klein 

Baynrd  Wuller 

C.    Haddon    Chamber* 

Richard  Harding  Dark 

Cosmo  Gordon-Lcnnev 

Grace  L.  Furnist 

Martha    Morton 

Robert  Housum 

Carlisle  Moore 

Salisbury  Field 

Leo  Dietrichtsteln 

Harry  James  Smith 

Eden   Phillpotts 

Sir   Arthur   Conan   Dopfe* 

Brandon  Tynan 

Clayton  Hamilton 

Edward  Sheldon 

Richard   Ganthony 

Jullie   Lippman 

Paul  Dickey 

Frank   Bacon 

Thompson   BuchatM* 

Edward    Paulton 

Adelaide   Matthew* 

William  Cary  DuncM 

A.  E.  W.  Mason 

H.  A.  Du  Souchet 


Paul   Armstrong 

French's  International  Copyrighted  Edition  contain*  play*, 
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Authors.  Send  a  five-cent  stamp  for  our  new  catalogue 
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